I'd say if you wanted to start growing some pot then you should try an outdoor grow first. Find a nice secluded spot in the woods (one you can find easily) and plant like 10-15 seeds. GERMINATE them first!
Don't spend too much on supplies seeing as it's your first grow; maybe a few plant pots and some good soil. Also some sort of spray to keep away vermin/deer.
Do not show anyone your plants, no matter how tempted you may be. Once you show one person, then they might get greedy and go find it on their own and possibly destroy it/steal it.
Let the plants grow about 3 weeks, then find out if they are males/females. Move (far far away) or destroy the males so that the females won't have any seeds in them. If you allow the males to grow next to the females then the females will be pollinated by the males and the bud will be less potent.
I've had my own grows a few times, never had a successful chop though because usually the plants were stolen/destroyed.
I wish you luck and remember, don't get caught
edit;
Oh and by the way, there's no physical addiction to marijuana. It's nearly impossible to get addicted. You are more likely to get addicted to sugar/caffiene/food/alcohol/cigarettes.