1. Find yourself a closet or small space. Discretion is advised until that time when Marijuana is legalized. It is recommended to choose a space that only you have access to. It doesn't hurt to keep your space locked.

2. Paint all wall and ceiling surfaces white, or cover all surfaces with aluminum foil (shiny side out) or aluminized Mylar.

3. Install lighting. Fluorescent lighting is the easiest to obtain and install. Mounting shop lights vertically on the walls will provide good light, with one on the ceiling. If you can afford it and are technically able, metal halide and high pressure sodium lights are brighter and provide a greater light spectrum. However, they may overheat a small space.

4. Install ventilation, if you can. This is not absolutely necessary if you are using cooler lighting, but will be good for the plants in any case. The drawback to ventilation is the sound of the fan. If possible, rig it in such a way that the sound of the fan doesn't draw attention to your space. Also, keep in mind where you are directing the smell. In any case, you want some way for air to circulate without letting light shine out.

5. Coordinate your electricity. You are going to want to install a timer, if possible, to keep the light cycles consistent. Use large enough extension cords that overloading is not a problem.

6. Get your soil beds together. 5 gal. buckets or large pots will work good. You want to provide your plants with good drainage, so rig things up in such a way that you can give the plants plenty of water without it messing up your floor. The more room you give your plants to grow, the more they will thrive. Next is potting soil. Rockwool is a good planting medium. Potting soil, or even good dirt will work fine. Mix it with Pearlite or sand to allow for good drainage and ease of growing for the roots. Some rocks, especially lava rock, at the bottom of the pots is also recommended.

7. Hopefully you have some good seeds. Starting seeds in small pots will help minimize wasted seeds and eliminate the need for initial weeding. Make sure you give the plants sufficient "elbow room" as this will create less competition and give them room to thrive. When it comes time to transplant, plant the entire rootball in the larger pot.

8. Water your plants every day, or even every other day, but keep a close eye on them. Get yourself a high nitrogen plant food like Miracle, Eco, or Rapid Grow to mix into the water during the vegetative growth period. I prefer organic fertilizer like bat guano or rabbit guano. Worm castings are also beneficial. Go easy on the fertilizer, at first, as you don't want to burn out the plants. I also like to mist my plants with water, but be careful that you aren't growing mildew on the walls. Keep the space clean, and examine the plants regularly for spider mites and other infestations. Give your plants lots of attention, as all living things need attention to be healthy. During the vegetative cycle you can give your plants 24 hours of light.

9. When the plants have reached a good height in relation to the space you're using for growing (at least a couple of feet high), you are ready to begin the flowering cycle. To do this you will set your timer for 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. It is also helpful introduce light with a greater infrared spectrum such as incandescent light. During the dark period, make sure that the space is sealed of all light, and don't turn the lights on at all. It is also time to change fertilizer to a low nitrogen mixture (flowering blend). After a few weeks the plants will begin to show their sex. The males will have little balls of pollen, and the females will get little feelers at the base of the branches. For the best quality smoke you will want to remove the males (unless you're trying to get seeds.)

10. A growing cycle is generally about four months with the greater half being the flowering cycle. The buds are ready to harvest when the larger leaves start turning brown and the buds are nice and crystally. Be patient. The lion's share of THC is produced toward the end of the flowering cycle. It is recommended to hang the buds up to dry for about a week or so after harvest. This is important as you don't want them to get moldy when you store them in plastic bags.

11. Give your plants lots of love and good vibes. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. There are lots of books available on pot growing. Take the time to learn and understand what you're doing.