Let's be real for a second. If you’re hunting for a grand theft auto 5 weed stash, you’re probably either trying to 100% the game or you're just bored of the usual Los Santos chaos and want to see what Franklin’s side-hustles are all about. It’s funny. Rockstar Games loves to hide stuff in plain sight, and then they'll bury other things so deep in the code or the map that you need a literal GPS and a prayer to find them.
The thing about "stashes" in GTA 5 is that they aren't just one thing. Most people are actually looking for the "Grass Roots" mission items, or they're trying to figure out how to maximize their income in the MC businesses in GTA Online. It gets confusing. You’ve got the single-player missions with Barry—the guy who’s basically a walking cloud of smoke—and then you’ve got the high-stakes logistics of the Cayo Perico heist where secondary targets are the difference between a mediocre haul and a massive payday.
The Truth About the Barry Missions and Those Annoying Hidden Cars
Kinda makes you wonder why Barry is so stressed out, right? In the Franklin Strangers and Freaks mission, "Grass Roots - The Pickup," you’re tasked with finding two specific vehicles. These are essentially the grand theft auto 5 weed stash locations for the single-player campaign. You get a broad green circle on your map. It’s vague. It’s frustrating. And if you’re like me, you probably drove around in circles for twenty minutes before realizing one of them is tucked away in a place that makes zero sense if you’re just looking at the road.
The first one is at the Lumber Yard in Paleto Forest. You’ll find a beat-up old truck. It’s not just sitting there; it’s parked in the back of the lot. When you get in, the cops show up immediately. This is where the game tests your patience. You can't just floor it because the truck is a total junker. You have to lose the heat while driving a vehicle that has the acceleration of a turtle on sedatives.
Then there’s the second stash. This one is at the La Puerta scrapyard. Look for a tow truck. Honestly, this part of the mission is more about the mini-game of using the crane than it is about the "stash" itself. You’re literally towing a car full of product through the city. Pro tip: don't take the main highways if you can avoid them. The AI traffic in Los Santos has a sixth sense for when you’re on a timed mission and will move heaven and earth to crash into you.
Why the Cayo Perico Secondary Targets Changed Everything
Things changed when the Cayo Perico heist dropped. Suddenly, the grand theft auto 5 weed stash wasn’t just a weird side quest for a hippie in a park; it became a legitimate way to fill your loot bag. On El Rubio’s island, weed is a "secondary target." It’s worth less than cocaine but more than cash.
Here is the deal: if you are running Cayo solo, you have to be picky. Your loot bag has limited space. Weed takes up 33% of your bag. Cocaine takes up 50%. If you find two stacks of weed, you’ve filled two-thirds of your bag for a decent payout, but you’re leaving money on the table if there’s gold or coke nearby. But hey, if the RNG gods are mean to you and all you find is weed and cash, take the weed. Always. It’s a better value-per-slot deal.
You’ll find these stashes in the North Dock, the Main Dock, and the various shacks scattered around the map. You need a bolt cutter or a cutting torch to get to them. It’s simple. It's profitable. Just don't get caught by the guards or the towers.
Managing the MC Business: The "Stash" That Never Ends
Now, if you're talking about the Grand Theft Auto Online "Weed Farm" business, that’s a whole different beast. This is located under the Motorcycle Club (MC) businesses. You buy a property—the cheapest is in San Chuchanski Mountain Range, which is a nightmare to drive to—and you start "sourcing" supplies.
👉 See also: Codes in Dress to Impress 2025: Why Your Wardrobe Still Needs a Refresh
The "stash" here is your stock bar. It grows over time. But man, the sell missions are brutal. If you’ve ever had to fly a Dodo plane five feet above the water to avoid radar just to deliver some plants, you know the pain. Or worse, the "Post Op" vans. Those vans are the absolute worst. They are slow. They can't climb hills. If you get the Post Op van mission, honestly, sometimes it’s better to just find a new session and take the small hit to your stock rather than suffer through 30 minutes of agonizingly slow driving.
The Mystery of the Stash Houses
In 2023, Rockstar added "Stash Houses" as a daily collectible. This is the most modern version of the grand theft auto 5 weed stash mechanic. Every real-time day, a purple house icon appears on your map. You go there, kick the door in, take out some low-level thugs, and crack a safe.
The safe code is always written on a yellow post-it note somewhere in the room. It’s never far. Once you open it, you get either GTA dollars or a full resupply for one of your businesses. If you don't own any businesses, you just get the cash. It’s a quick 5-minute task that pays out surprisingly well for the effort involved. It's basically free money.
Why People Keep Looking for Secret Stashes
There is a weird segment of the GTA community that believes there are "secret" stashes hidden in the mountains or underwater that Rockstar never officially announced. We’re talking about the Mount Chiliad mystery hunters. While there are plenty of Easter eggs in the game—like the frozen alien in the prologue or the ghost on Mount Gordo—there hasn't been any verified "hidden" weed stash that gives you a permanent buff or a massive payout outside of the scripted missions.
Most of these "leaks" you see on YouTube are just clickbait. People use mods to place objects in the game and then claim they found a secret. Don't fall for it. Stick to the verified locations if you actually want to progress.
What You Should Actually Do Next
If you want to make the most of the various stashes in the game, you need a strategy. Don't just wander around.
First, if you're in Story Mode, finish the Barry missions just to get them off your map. They don't pay much, but they count toward that 100% completion stat. Plus, the dialogue is actually pretty funny if you're into Rockstar's brand of cynical humor.
Second, if you're playing Online, prioritize the daily Stash Houses. It’s the easiest way to keep your businesses running without having to do those tedious steal missions. If you’re short on cash, the Stash House is your best friend.
💡 You might also like: Finding the Best Mini Crossword Free Online Without the Clutter
Third, for the Cayo Perico heist, learn the layout of the North Dock. There are two sheds there that often hold weed or coke. If you can fill your bag there before even entering the compound, you can make a quick exit via the Longfin boat or just swim away into the sunset.
Lastly, stop buying the most expensive businesses. The weed farm in the city might seem cool, but the overhead and the raid frequency make it a headache. The mid-range locations usually have the best balance of travel time and price.
Keep your eyes on the map icons and stop listening to the "secret mystery" hunters. The real money in Los Santos is made through the grind, not through finding a magic box in the woods. Go get your payout. Over and out.