In recent years, the legalization of cannabis in many places has sparked a growing interest in both purchasing and cultivating marijuana.
While buying from dispensaries is convenient, the cost can add up quickly, leading many to wonder if growing their own might offer a more economical alternative. This article explores the financial implications of buying weed versus growing it at home, covering initial costs, potential savings, and the benefits of different cultivation methods like seeds and clones.
How much does buying weed from an average dispensary cost?
Your typical cost is around $10 to $20 per gram. This price varies depending on the quality and strain of the cannabis, as well as the state and local taxes involved. If you’re buying in larger quantities, like by the ounce, prices usually drop, but you might still pay anywhere from $200 to $400 per ounce with the average being $326 according to research by Oxford Treatment.
Roughly how much would this cost over a year?
It depends on your usage. Let’s say you use about one gram per day. At an average price of $15 per gram, your annual cost would be around $5,475. If you consume less or purchase in bulk, this number could be lower. For instance, buying by the ounce at $300 each month would total about $3,600 per year.
How much does it cost to grow your own weed at home?
Starting your home grow setup involves some initial investments, but it can be cost-effective in the long run. Here’s a basic breakdown:
Cannabis seeds: About $50 for 5 seeds.
Lighting: Good quality grow lights can cost around $100 to $300.
Grow tent: A basic tent might range from $100 to $200.
Pots and soil: Around $50 to $100 for sufficient quality and quantity.
Nutrients: Essential nutrients can cost between $50 and $100.
Electricity: This varies based on local rates but expect around $30 to $50 per month.
Adding these up, your initial setup could be around $380 to $800. Monthly electricity costs bring additional expenses, and considering a grow cycle of about 4 months, the running cost for one cycle could be $120 to $200. Over a year, maintaining your grow might cost around $500 to $800 in electricity alone, plus replacing nutrients and soil. Overall, starting and running your grow could total approximately $1,000 to $1,600 for the first year.
How much could save you each year
You can save significantly each year, especially after the initial setup. Your first year includes high setup costs (around $1,000 to $1,600), but many of these purchases, like lighting and the tent, will last for several years with minimal additional investment.
Let’s assume you successfully harvest 1 ounce (about 28 grams) of cannabis per plant and grow 4 plants in a cycle. With 3 cycles per year, that’s 12 ounces (or 336 grams) annually. If you were buying this amount from a dispensary at $15 per gram, it would cost you $5,040 annually.
After subtracting the ongoing costs (around $500 to $800 per year for electricity, nutrients, and soil), you could save between $3,240 and $4,540 each year following the initial setup. These savings will increase as you reuse equipment and refine your growing techniques, making home cultivation a financially attractive option for the long term grower.
Is it best to grow from seed or clones?
Growing from seeds offers a few advantages:
Variety: You have access to a vast array of strains from well-known online cannabis seed banks. This allows you to experiment with different types and find what best suits your preferences.
Health: Seeds tend to produce vigorous plants with a strong taproot, which can contribute to better health and yield.
However, seeds also have some cons:
Uncertainty: There’s a chance of getting male plants that don’t produce the buds you’re looking for unless you’re using feminized seeds.
Time: Seeds need time to germinate, and it might take longer for them to start flowering compared to clones.
On the other hand, clones have their own set of advantages:
Consistency: Clones are genetic copies of their parent plant, ensuring the offspring will have the same characteristics.
Speed: They have a head start in growth compared to seeds, as they are already developing plants.
But there are drawbacks:
Cost: Clones are typically more expensive than seeds.
Availability: The selection of clones is often more limited compared to the myriad options available in seed form.
Risk of pests and diseases: Clones can carry diseases or pests from their parent plant, which can introduce problems into your clean growing environment.
Is it worth growing autoflower seeds?
Growing autoflower cannabis seeds is definitely worth considering, especially if you have a small indoor setup for personal use. Autos can’t be cloned so if you want to grow them, you have to grow them from seed.
Here are advantages of autoflower seeds:
Speed: Autoflowers transition from the vegetative to the flowering stage automatically after a set number of weeks, typically maturing in about 10 weeks from seed to harvest. This is faster than regular seeds, which need changes in light to prompt flowering.
Size: Autoflowers are compact, usually growing no taller than 2 to 3 feet. This makes them ideal for small spaces.
Resilience: They are generally hardy and resistant to temperature fluctuations, pests, and diseases, which is great for less experienced growers.
Efficiency: Since autoflowers don’t require changes in light cycles, you can keep them under a constant light schedule (e.g., 18 hours on and 6 hours off) throughout their life. This simplifies the growing process.
Continuous harvest: Their quick turnaround time allows for multiple harvests in a year, often called ‘perpetual harvests’ where you have a constant supply of freshly harvested bud.
Growing your own weed can be rewarding, especially when considering the potential savings compared to buying from a dispensary. With initial setup costs balanced by substantial long-term savings, home cultivation offers not only a financial benefit but also the satisfaction of personalizing your very own grow. Whether you choose seeds or clones, or decide to experiment with autoflowers for quicker and more manageable results, cultivating your own bud puts you in control of your supply and strain selection and most importantly ensures that you will never run out of weed.
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