6 Ways to Save Money on Weed

In a growing number of states, cannabis is legal — but that doesn’t mean it is affordable. Because of steep taxes and cultivation gatekeeping, prices for pot remain relatively high. You should be able to buy a gram or two for $20 or so, but over time, that expense starts to add up, and if you aren’t careful, you could be emptying your savings account at a Los Angeles dispensary.

You don’t have to break the bank on bud. Here are a few ways to keep costs low while you are keeping yourself high:

Apply for a Medical Card

If you have a medical condition that qualifies you for your state’s medical marijuana program, you might apply for an MMJ card even if you have access to recreational weed. MMJ patients sometimes have access to cannabis products that recreational users don’t, but more importantly, MMJ patients in most states aren’t subject to the same steep taxes on recreational cannabis products. Even if you buy the exact same stuff you would get as a recreational user, you won’t be spending as much if you use a medical card.

Become a Dispensary Member

Many community-minded dispensaries have created loyalty programs to reward return customers for their continued patronage. By joining a dispensary as a member, you gain access to special discounts, limited sales and other exclusive access that can save you money. Usually, dispensary membership doesn’t cost anything; you merely need to provide your chosen dispensary with your contact information, which they will use to tell you about their member deals. You can be a member at more than one dispensary, as long as you don’t mind receiving all sorts of marketing messages about weed.

Ask About Weekly Discounts

Just as grocery stores run weekly sales on certain items, dispensaries looking to move more of a particular product might place discounts on that product for a limited amount of time. Sometimes, these discounts are heavily advertised in marketing emails or on signs around the store, but sometimes, they are only available to those who ask. As long as you are in the dispensary, you might as well inquire about any special sales with a budtender.

Buy Bud in Bulk

Most states allow recreational users to buy up to 1 ounce of dry cannabis flower, but dispensaries tend to sell bud in smaller quantities because eighths and grams are more affordable and more reasonable for the average cannabis consumer to use. However, just like buying a year’s worth of toilet paper at Costco is more economical than picking up a couple rolls every month at the supermarket, investing in an ounce of flower is likely to shave dollars off your per-gram cost. The trick with bulk bud buying is knowing how to store your stash so it remains fresh.

Stretch Your Stash

As is so often true of frugality, saving money isn’t always about finding deals when you buy; it is more often about reducing your need to buy in the first place. Some good ways to keep yourself in weed for longer include:

• Choose economical consumption methods. Joints and blunts require an egregious amount of bud. You should look for a pipe with a smaller bowl or use a one-hitter or chillum.
• Collect the kief. That sticky, sparkling dust that comes off your flower when you grind it is called kief, and it is magic. You can buy a grinderwith a chamber for collecting kief, and then you can sprinkle it on your smokables for improved potency without excess pot.
• Consume responsibly. With the right strain, you can get reasonably high in just a hit or two. Unfortunately, some stoners always go overboard, getting a little too high and using way more weed than necessary. By knowing your limits, you can avoid wasting your stash.

Grow Your Own

Finally, you can see if you have a sticky, green thumb. Home cultivation is legal in most places where recreational consumption is allowed. Even if you are limited in the number of cannabis plants you can raise, you will end up with way more bud than you can consume. Cultivating cannabis isn’t free or cheap, but it can be less expensive per gram than picking up flower from the dispensary.

The farther you can stretch your weed budget, the more rewarding your smoke sessions will be. By finding your dispensary sales and making smart choices with how you consume, you can enjoy more cannabis for less cash.