10 Way to Save Money on Cannabis

Cannabis has never been cheap. Even the best black-market price before legalization was high (no pun intended). If the value to you is pound per dollar, there are no bargains. But if you measure things by the value for money, i.e., the benefit to you, the cost is what you can afford for the desired effect, medicinal or recreational.

The legalization of marijuana has not made things easier on your budget. But the indefatigable cannabis customer always finds ways to buy what they want.

Here are 10 ways to save money:

1. Start with a budget. Spending what you have in your pocket is not a budget. The cannabis budget spends “discretionary” income, the money you don’t need for car payments, mortgage payments or rent, food, insurance, tuition, and alimony and child support.

Without a budget, you can’t track or manage your spending. With a spending plan, you can also save or roll money forward.

2. Review your usage. Some use several times a day; others only once a month. You should measure how much you are using out of your stash to determine how large of a stash you really need. It has a shelf life, after all, so you want to avoid any excess.

You should also evaluate your taste. If you only want the “best,” you must prepare to pay the difference. If you are willing to vary your mode of consumption, you can find some options to manage the expense.

3. Do your research. Where retail dispensaries are common and convenient for you, you should do some “secret” shopping. Visiting several local stores, you should price the same product at the same weight. You will find surprising differences in the price you may or may not see online.

Shopping online has some risks you can avoid by researching into background, reviews, and corporate setup. The website should also have info about quality and testing, but ordering online may incur shipping expenses that offset any apparent savings.

4. Check with your tax adviser. Money spent on medical marijuana prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner may be federal and/or state income tax-deductible. This is true in Canada for people treating diagnosed anxiety, chronic pain, depression, or PTSD.

However, as Consumer Reports says, “Marijuana is still considered illegal in the United States, and the IRS clearly says that medical marijuana doesn't qualify for a federal tax deduction. So, there's no way to report that expense as a way to reduce your adjusted gross income and taxable income.”

5. Change your habit. You may want to try other forms of consumption. If you have been a smoker for some time, you understand the pros and cons of smoking. You know how much you need of what strain to generate the effect you are after.

Using that as your benchmark, you might achieve the same goal using oils, capsules, tinctures, or edibles. Bongs and other devices can often deliver comparable or better results while saving you money.

6. Make online marketing your friend. Nothing is stopping you from following as many cannabis websites as you want. If you subscribe to their offerings, you will get newsletters, deal announcements, coupons, and other promotions.

Some sites have loyalty awards programs offering merchandise or points you can accumulate for promotions for concerts or sports events. If these are not direct savings, they give you a leg up on other spending.

7. Become a farmer. Growing your own at home will cost you upfront. It takes some investment in equipment. But allowing for some study time, you can create your own indoor or outdoor cannabis farm.

With a little research and some time to tend their garden, anyone can grow your own. It does take more knowledge and patience, but if you approach cannabis care like raising African violets or orchids, you can satisfy your own needs.

8. Make a trade. Cannabis users tend to have a network of friends who use their own. They are people you work with, college roommates, or members of your smoking circles.  

You save money by sharing your stash with others and by using theirs in return. Friends tend to be generous, and if what goes around, comes around, you can age a few bucks.

9. Give cheap a try. Try something new. You are not likely to stick with the same strain for a lifetime. So, while you may have a favorite strain, taste, and aroma, you should give something new a chance.

Variety can improve your experience and save you money, too. You might review the dispensary’ inventory and choose something lower-priced than your usual choice. A few bucks saved is a bargain, or you might opt for the lowest price to define how low you want to go.

10. Buy bulk and stretch it out. Store it well, and you can get mileage from a bulk purchase. You can make a halve last 14 days in you break it into one-gram doses. You’ll need to spread the dose throughout the day which is probably good for you.

But you can also save by diversifying your inventory. For example, you might find more potency in a bong or bowl. You should decide if joints are the best and most economical way to go, and you want to research what is most beneficial for your medical or recreational needs.

Get the most out of your buy!

You should optimize the benefits inherent in your cannabis purchase. With some strategy, you can use the entire product, making your own cannabutter, processing kief, and using stems and other debris.

If you favor moderate use, you should be able to budget your buy, shop smartly, use sensibly, and save money.