Every hydroponic gardener has been met with questions about the most publicized use of hydroponics, only to cut off the person speaking with a reply similar to the tune of “It works for tomatoes and lettuce too!”. Many people with an affinity for a certain plant know what we know. That hydroponics is a cost effective and superior method of growing plants.
Obviously this can be a hindrance for the legitimate hydroponics community. Being associated with illegal activities can cause many problems for commercial growers, and the home enthusiast alike. A technology that has potential to feed millions, is getting a bad rap because of 1 plant.
Let me repeat that so it can sink in.
A technology that has potential to feed millions, is getting a bad rap because of 1 plant.
It has escalated to the point where hydroponics systems are now being deemed illegal. In Southern Australia, premier Rick Rann has stated “We will make it an offence to have hydroponic equipment without a lawful excuse.” Of course the big argument is “if you aren’t doing anything wrong, you have nothing to fear” but let’s examine that for a moment.
Say you have a hydroponic setup and you grow tomatoes, just about a dozen plants or so, to satisfy your greenthumb, and maybe make a few dollars at the market. Now imagine that you have harvested your crop, and sold, eaten or squashed every tomato, and the police show up with a warrant.
How can you prove that you have never grown anything illegal in your system? How can you prove that this setup is for legal plants only? How can you tell an officer who may or may not know anything about hydroponics, that you are indeed, only growing tomatoes in your basement? It opens the doors to accusations that owning a grow light and timer, is essentially the same thing as cultivating narcotics.
They have already outright banned the use of the Omega Garden which was a huge step in efficiency for hydroponics industry. Just a heads up to any of our readers in Southern Australia, If you have an Omega garden, you are a criminal and could be jailed for 1 year. Hydroponic growers now need to provide I.D. for their purchases.
Illegal deeds have lead to some increased scrutiny for hobbyists, growers, and shopkeeps, when it could be used to better someone’s life instead.
In Florida there is a fantastic program taking place that takes seized hydroponic systems from the hands of criminals, and places it in the hands of school children. The very same equipment used to grow illegal narcotics, grows food for the homeless.
A hydroponics system donated by the local police department, now resides in Maneulla Moffats’ classroom, where students can learn all about growing with hydroponics, while at the same time, giving back to their local community.
So what are your thoughts about the tightening restrictions on hydroponics, and the negative stigma applied by those who know next to nothing about hydroponics? Have any of our readers in southern Australia experienced any problems with the new laws?
Matt
The Hydroponics Dictionary
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