Times are tight. Inflation is slowing, but present. We all still like to drop by the local cannabis store and grab a little floral relaxation, but in these days where food and fuel prices are elevated thanks to some autocratic dickhead halfway around the world. So how do we balance our purchases of our daily or weekly cannabis expenditures against the rising price of everything else?
Thankfully, one way the market is helping us is via a glut of cannabis in the Washington recreational cannabis market. The presence of too much of any commodity will depress a market. That’s currently happening in the business to business aspects of the Washington weed economy. Producers are undercutting each other in order to free storage space for this year’s harvest while the LCB struggles with an appropriate way to reign in canopy space.
So… how do you improve your efficiencies with regards to spending on cannabis? (continued below)
The first thing is to be aware of what strains are giving you the best value. Stronger cannabis isn’t always more expensive. In fact, many growers have found ways to increase trichome density without negatively impacting yield. The result is that a lot of the new crop of cannabis hitting the shelves is incredibly potent compared to what was available 5 or 6 years ago when the industry started in Washington state.
The second way get more value for your dollar is by purchase methods. If you are a daily smoker, then it usually makes sense to get an 1/8th or even a quarter at a time, and avoid the single serving approach due to the convenience of neighborhood store. Not only does this reduce the number of times you need to go to the store, but it also gives you some negotiating power with the supplier, as they will often discount the larger amounts of the flower to the retailer, and the savings are passed to you.
If you are only a occasional user, or are looking to save some money for other things, consider investing in a cannabis vaporizer. You can now find portable vapes that will give you as much pleasure as smoking, but at a fraction of the cost. Not only do they use less cannabis, but the effects last longer thanks to the way the THC is absorbed into your bloodstream.
Whatever route you decide to take, remember that there are ways to get more bang for your buck when it comes to consuming cannabis. By being smart about your choices, you can keep smoking without breaking the bank.