Hey, you can find answers to all your questions in the faqs and forums.

1- Go with a reputable seed dealer like dope-seeds.com or mandalaseeds.com. There are others. I've never had seeds confiscated yet, but I only order 10 or so at a time.

2/3- they need to prove you're a dealer. If you have a scale they can probably say you're a dealer. Trafficking may be what you're thinking of. Cultivating above a certain limit makes you liable for trafficking (or maybe thats crossing state lines). Virginia - NORML Here is Virginia's state laws which are pretty steep if you ask me for simple cultivation. If you want a cabinet it depends on how much money you're willing to spend and the amt. of space you want to dedicate. You could use a 1000watt light for a 4x4x5.5 ft space and probably fit anywhere from 4-8 plants (maybe more with sog). But then again that would be a huuge cabinet. I grow in a small 2x2x3ft cabinet and I now grow 2 plants at the most usually.

4- I recommend Northern Lights for a beginner.

5- yes 4+ plants or any amount is going to reek. NL does not smell as much but you're going to need a carbon scrubber for the smell.

6- I use HID lighting and recommend it to anyone who can afford it. compact fluorescents, which I assume you're talking about, are cheaper but won't produce as much. You need a lot of them to have enough light.