grow shop paranoia

[wordsux]

I have serious paranoia about grow stores.. I was wondering if you guys think this is justified or not? I am always concerned that someone is taking my name down or maybe leo's stake them out even though technically that would be entrapment.

Its funny that I am about to start growing again soon and just down the street a hydro shop just opened. I was wondering if any of you guys ever step foot in one of these stores or are you paranoid just like me?

 

[Weird]

in some regions I still hear about people being cased from the growstores

back in the day operation green merchant was a very real version of that tactic

 

[JointOperation]

just becareful.. don't drive around with nugs.. or anything on you when u go down to the shops.. try to take a car with plates that aren't registered to were u grow.. and were a hoody if its cold enough out.. sun glasses.. n shit.. so they cant catch a face shot on camera.. lol. if your that sketched out about it..

I figure.. if they want you they can get you either way.. so .. online or grow store. or garden store.. or home depot lowes.. if they want you they will get your ass either way.. plus.. its not illegal to buy equipment. they cant even prove what your doing with it .

 

[wordsux]

Yea not keen on looking like the unibomber when I go in either haha

Guess i will stop in after work just to scope it out and get a feel for the people who run it. Not doing anything illegal at the moment so it's not a big deal.

 

[jd4083]

Nearest hydro shop is over an hour away but a friend of mine visits 2-3x a week and lives right near it, so I just have him pay cash for what I need and bring it to me. Works for me, but then, I haven't been on anybody's radar for a long time and anybody who did go to the trouble of trying to track me down and bust me would be disappointed as shit nowadays

 

[vostok]

I've looked thru grow stores, but prefer to shop online
as grow stores have to mark up their prices to high
for me anyways

ps would it be great if you were right? ...lol

 

[Scroggy B]

If you so paranoid, how do they know your name? A car not registered on where you live is a pretty useful thing for many causes, along with a fat stack of cash..
This reminds me of a time I came to the hydro shop (we have about 15 of them in the whole country) and saw two dudes with hoodies and beanies (in July or so, in hot Israel) buying lots of grow supplies. They parked their car in a field nearby and carried all the heavy equipment back and forth. Not suspicious at all. Another dude I saw bought a tent and all the required equipment for a DTW grow, then took a few packs of tomato seeds. I remember hearing him ask the seller how much EC do tomatoes like. Not obvious at all, everyone grows tomatoes DTW =)
My opinion is that if someone powerful (such as LEO or some crook) knows you grow and wants you down, you'll go down. So don't go around spreading info about you and your agricultural achievements, it's none of anyone's business. You come to the store, buy what you need, "for a friend" and get outta there. No need to discuss and consult the salesmen - you, along with this AWESOME forum, know much better than them. If they knew their business so good, they would have rather be growing than selling lamps and shit..

 

[Croptober]

I think the people who work at the grow shops have more to be worried about then you. Pretty obvious what you do if you do work at one.

 

[Miraculous Meds]

I think going to one that is close to where u live is a no no. It makes it very easy to be seen by people who know u and if cops or robbers are scoping it out, they don't have to follow u far, or at all, if they recognize u from the area.

 

[aridbud]

I've looked thru grow stores, but prefer to shop online
as grow stores have to mark up their prices to high
for me anyways

ps would it be great if you were right? ...lol

Like others said...don't have anything in your car to arouse suspicion. LOTS of people grow veggies/herbs with HID/LED.

Just like in head shops, you don't mention the "m" word. You talk in generalities. And if you do buy....bring in your gear after dark.

Common sense.

 

[GuerrillaRed]

The dudes at my local grow shop actually referred me to the local dispensary and are pretty open. But I completely feel this paranoia as well. To this day, I never buy anything big and always pay in cash. Up here though where it's legal, most the hydro shops are run by pretty cool stoners.

A lot of them don't want to talk openly about it though which I respect. I think the cops are in a weird place where they won't bust you but there will be major problems if there's a fire or they stumble upon it. I think here it's so in the open that the cops aren't watching hydro shops unless that hydro shop is doing some shady shit which a lot of them are. It's a strange time right now.

 

[Duke Diamond]

back quite a few years ago in va there was a store that the owner and workers were all federali ci's and the d's had a apt across the way for surveillance. its all very real, parinoia is fear of somthing unjustified...i'de say its very justified, so just be carefull ok btw that store is still open, guy sent away 2 of his best friends too, had a friend that pulled time with both of them. just be careful man

 

[One Love 731]

If your not in a legal state don't frequent grow shops! If its a must and you need PH up/down and it cant wait take a cab or bus. Yes LEO watch grow shops, especially in non med/recreational states. Its better to order on line to a friends house, NEVER the grow house. Its not in the discovery but many times the investigation starts from the local grow store. Be careful, there isn't gold in them there hills. Growing is not a get rich quick scheme regardless of how much it might seem to be. Remember when you commit a crime your putting everybody around you at risk. Don't brag, tell or let your ego grow. Do right by you and yours. 1

 

[blastfrompast]

so i guess being first name basis with the guys at the shop is a bad thing eh..

Man u guys in the USA are paranoid when it comes to grow shops...

 

[One Love 731]

I'm totally on a first name basis with the boy's at my grow shop but I'm also in a state with Medical and recreational cannabis and am 100% legal and licensed. Here in the USA they incarcerate more people than the rest of the world combined! I'm not so sure paranoia is the right word when the fear is based on fact. In some states the police kill more citizens than all crime combined and never suffer a consequence. They can take all your assets without charges as well as detaining you indefinitely without charges. I'm not saying not to break the rules just be safe and don't hurt those you care about or anybody for that matter in doing so. It's a scary state of affairs out there, know the risk you are taking. 1

 

[Scrappy-doo]

I just got back from the grow shop actually. I used to be way more worried about it. Wouldn't park in their lot, would wear shades or a hoodie, lots of covering up my tracks. These days it's much less of a concern but still I always scope out all the cars in the lot, noticing any with tinted windows and their ass facing the store, and always look for tails when driving from there. It's just habit now.

 

[wordsux]

Well the only thing I will buy from the store is soil. Shipping bags of soil sucks especially if you buy in bulk... The last time I did that they left a pallet (not a full pallet, they put it on there for shipping) with fox farms on it in my driveway for all the world to see..... soooo mad, I called the site I ordered it from and chewed them out. Discreet shipping my arse!


Technically they should not be able to tail people and get names and pics of people going to grow stores. But I have already had my fair share of crooked cops, lawyers, and district attorney's. If they are dead set on making an example of you they are going to do it.

 

[SeedsOfFreedom]

I guess I should be more grateful for Canada"s medical system, and overall lack of enforcement! I love checking out the grow shop!! Hahaha

The guys at the shop I go to usually are pretty cool, I have even talked strains with them. They smoke plenty, I am sure I'm safe there. No paranoia here!

 

[Mikell]

^That. Although now with everything in court, and only learning under this very lax medical system, I am trying to teach myself to be a little more suspect about these things.

 

[Stoner4Life]

I went into a new grow shop in Moorhead MN, spoke to the owner and his asst at length, both of them seemed almost anxious to breach etiquette talking about cannabis.

they danced around any direct questions of my particular interest but eventually the sales pitch (they were after all trying to sell me shit) came around to cloning materials (powders, gels, cubes, coco, rooting plugs, etc...) and I declined all. I told the owner "I can't clone these plants" (I never mentioned cannabis) and faster than immediately his asst said "LowRyders huh?" as he hit the nail right on the head.

That gave me an uneasy feeling but probably shouldn't have, after some considerable thought I'd almost have to guess a cop, even a good narc wouldn't be so familiar w/strains as to be able pop that guess or answer right off the top of his head, idk.

I bought my organic nutes w/cash and got back into the taxi that brought me there, 3 minutes later I was dropped off @ the McDonald's I was picked up from, ate a meal and walked across the street to my car and left town. w/tip the taxi was less than $20, it bought some peace of mind, I take a taxi in n' out of my twin cities hydro shop as well.