Help Needed (new to growing)

I need some help with growing cannabis. A buddy of mine has tried to a few times, but has failed, I don't know if he just doesn't know what he's doing or he just doesn't take proper care of the plant. Anyway, I'm going to try it soon, but I need to know some basic growing principles. To give an idea of what I'll be doing, the plant will be inside my house, probably in a small space, and I live in a cold area.

I checked this site out because I like the idea of organic cannabis, since I eat a lot of organic foods. I was recently reading that when you light cannabis to smoke it the reason you inhale carcinogens is because of chemicals used in it in the growing process. I can do without that.

Anyway, appreciate any help.

 

Here ya go for some reading:

http://www.mjguide.com/

Know before ya grow