An apartment delivered with a cannabis closet

A building contractor has decided to take the full measure of Initiative 71, which was passed in November 2014 and went into effect in February 2015, and which legalizes recreational use of cannabis in Washington D.C..by building apartments equipped with grow-in closets.

Eric Hirshfield was in charge of the construction of 4 apartments, and decided to include cannabis grow cabinets alongside a wine tasting machine and a refrigerated wine cellar. He believes that this type of equipment will soon be found in many new apartments.

L‘Initiative 71 among other things, allows Washington D.C. residents to grow and consume their own cannabis, but prohibits buying and selling. «You can possess and you can consume, but you can't sell,» Eric Hirshfield told NBC Washington. «How are you supposed to get your weed? Well, you can grow it at home!».

Hirshfield's cannabis closets are equipped with water access, a drainage system, a fan and an outlet that can power an LED lamp so residents can grow cannabis, or any other plant.

Eric is happy to report that other manufacturers have come to him for advice on cabinet installation, but it's still the only one to offer them ready-to-use in new apartments.

Since Initiative 71 passed, indoor grow stores have been on the rise. Chris Washburn, owner of Let'sGrowDC, has seen strong growth in his business. «Whether it's growing cannabis in your home, or simply organic gardeners looking to be self-sufficient, it's a big movement.».

Eric Hirshfield plans to integrate grow-in closets into his future projects, and of course leaves the choice of cultivation to the residents. In fact, one of his first buyers said he was going to use them to grow herbs during the winter, when temperatures don't allow for outdoor cultivation.

The cost of installing a grow-in closet in an existing closet is approximately 500$, but permission from the homeowner is required for tenants in Washington State.

«The originality of having a cannabis cupboard at home hasn't quite gone away yet,» says Hirshfield. «But I'd say there's a lot more indoor growing going on than people think.».