Mom Lets Teenage Son Grow Weed at Home, Learns Unexpected Lessons

The unconventional decision led to a closer relationship and a new understanding.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:22pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic cannabis leaf repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the everyday cannabis plant into modern pop art.A Berkeley family's embrace of their son's cannabis cultivation experiment reflects evolving attitudes toward marijuana.Berkeley Today

A Berkeley, California mom allowed her scientifically-minded teenage son to grow cannabis plants in their home, initially worried about the legal and social implications. But as the experiment progressed, she found it brought them closer together and gave her a new perspective on her son's interests and decision-making.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges and opportunities parents face when navigating unconventional choices their children want to make, especially around sensitive topics like drug use. It explores the importance of understanding your child's motivations, maintaining open communication, and being willing to take calculated risks in order to strengthen the parent-child bond.

The details

The mom, Allison, initially had concerns about her son Liam growing cannabis, worrying it could lead to him becoming a drug dealer or experimenting with harder drugs. However, Liam convinced his parents he was mostly interested in the scientific challenge of successfully growing the plants. Allison and her husband agreed to let him set up a grow operation in their home, navigating challenges like hiding it from visitors and dealing with an insect infestation. Liam's experiment was a success, and Allison later allowed him to grow more plants during the pandemic, even getting involved herself. Ultimately, Allison says the experience brought her closer to her son and gave her a new understanding of his scientific interests and decision-making process.

  • In the summer, Liam received a package with cannabis seeds along with his senior portraits.
  • Liam set up his first grow operation in the family's guest room closet.
  • Liam's first cannabis harvest occurred halfway through his senior year of high school.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, Liam grew cannabis again in a special closet in his college dorm room.
  • Liam recently graduated from college two years ago.

The players

Allison de Laveaga

A Berkeley, California-based writer and the mother who allowed her teenage son to grow cannabis in their home.

Liam

Allison's scientifically-minded teenage son who was interested in the challenge of growing cannabis plants.

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What they’re saying

“Liam's persistence and curiosity convinced us. Ever since we gave him the green light to grow pot, he had been studying the most effective methods for planting and harvesting it.”

— Allison de Laveaga, Mother

“I'm glad we made it through the pot-growing stage, and I'm no longer doing anything undercover.”

— Allison de Laveaga, Mother

What’s next

Allison plans to continue having open conversations with her son Liam about his latest interests and passions, maintaining their close relationship as he navigates adulthood.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates that by understanding their child's motivations, maintaining open communication, and being willing to take calculated risks, parents can strengthen the parent-child bond, even through unconventional choices. It highlights the importance of flexibility and empathy when parenting teenagers.