Is Weed Too Expensive?

Times are really tough out here for the average American citizen. The average income in the United States is what - around $30,00 a year? Not to mention the rate of inflation ensures that pay increases are made less and less significant each year. And of course, the cost of living for things like rent, healthcare, and more continues to climb with no end in sight for everyone. 

I surely am grateful for the fact that I have a steady job and income that I can count on in these hard times, because not everyone is so lucky. Weed is one of those things that also continues to fluctuate in price. For anyone that has traveled to different places in the country and taken a look at the local dispensaries, you may have noticed the large disparity between states and the price that marijuana runs for. 

In fact, depending on where you live in the United States, you may end up paying double or even triple what people in other states are paying for the same type of cannabis strain or product. Why is this? Well, a lot of it has to do with the complicated relationship between weed and the law and policies that allow it to exist in our nation. Most states have now legalized medical marijuana programs for specific patients that qualify, and a select few of those states have also legalized adult use as well. If you live in a state that has affordable cannabis, consider yourself lucky. In many places around the United States. Medical and recreational marijuana users alike are shelling out big bucks for weed on the regular.

So what about the cannabis industry makes for such a difference in the price of weed from state to state? Well, to answer this question, we should look at the top five states where weed is most expensive. The most expensive place to buy marijuana in the United States is Virginia, at about $18.60 per gram. This is by far the most expensive price in the country, since the second most expensive place is Pennsylvania with a price of $15.62 per gram. While that may not sound terribly expensive, you need to think about it in terms of buying an ounce. Say you wanted to buy an ounce of weed in Virginia. Do you know how much you would be paying? Try about $530! That’s like my whole monthly income and some more on top. Comparing that price to other states in the country really shows how pricey marijuana can be for some people. 

I really pity people that live in a place where cannabis is not affordable. Where I am from in Michigan, buying weed is relatively cheap compared to a lot of other places in the nation, and I am super grateful for that. Anyways, the problem with pricing weed so high is that it can be hard for medical marijuana patients to properly self-medicate with weed. 

Not to mention, insurance companies that normally cover the cost of other healthcare options do not cover medical marijuana. It is quite literally cheaper to get your hands on some dangerous opioids, which by the way is being called an epidemic by the World Health Organization, than it is to get an ounce of weed. 

If we truly want people to begin relying on other ways of medication rather than dangerous opioids that can lead to addiction and abuse, we need to start rethinking how we price marijuana in this country. Much of the reason that prices are so high is because of corporate taxes and licensing fees, as well as retail and excise taxes on marijuana.

Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid Strains - What You Need to Know

When it comes to using marijuana for the first time, it can be a little bit overwhelming. It seems like there are a million different products and strains available at any given dispensary. How on earth are you going to choose the right one? Well, as the United States’ acceptance of medical marijuana continues to grow, medical patients have better resources in figuring out the difference between marijuana strains and which ones are best for them. 

There is a lot to know about different strains of cannabis, especially now that there are well over 700 strains that have been developed and introduced in the North American market. If you are looking for a little bit of insight into how strains work and some of the things you need to know about them, then you have come to the right place, my friend. 

Today, I wanted to take some time out of my busy schedule to write a beginners guide to sativa, indica, and hybrid strains. If you did not already know, those three categories are basically what every type of marijuana strain will fall into. It is important to know the difference between strains and how they can affect and benefit you, whether you are a medical weed user.

So firstly, let’s talk about sativa. Sativa strains are most generally associated with what is called a “head high”. This type of marijuana strain is great for increasing energy levels and focus, which makes them a popular choice for daytime and social use. Say you are going to a concert with some friends and want to light up a joint beforehand - in that case, sativa is the way to go. Sativa users usually experience lighter and happier moods, euphoric highs, and increased levels of creativity and thought. 

However, sativa strains can also cause some unwanted side effects in some patients, specifically things like rapid heart beat, anxiety, and even insomnia. It is best to not take any sativa cannabis before you try to go to bed, since you will likely experience racing thoughts and increased energy levels. 

There are certain medical benefits for sativa strains specifically, especially for people that tend to lose focus or motivation. Sativa strains have been used by patients with ADHD and ADD due to the way it lowers their symptoms and increases focus. When using sativa, make sure that you are careful with how much you smoke and the specific strain that you use. Popular sativa strains include Sour Diesel, Durban Poison, Lemon Haze, Green Crack, and Panama Red.

Indica strains differ from sativa strains in a lot of ways. Primarily, the type of high that one experiences from an indica strain is less of a head high and more of a body high. Indica strains are great for a night at home when you want to relax on the couch or head to bed early. This type of marijuana will leave your body feeling warm and tingly, and it’s almost impossible to find an uncomfortable position on the couch after smoking enough indica. 

Most people use indica strains at night due to how relaxing and calming they are - you will definitely want to fall asleep early. Indica strains also have a lot of great medical benefits, especially when it comes to reducing stress and anxiety. Since indica helps people to relax, many patients use it to reduce their pain levels before going to bed which can help people with insomnia. Popular indica strains include Hindu Kush, Granddaddy Purple, Northern Lights, and White Widow.

When it comes to picking the right strain, I suggest picking a hybrid of the two. Hybrids are great because they combine both sativa and indica, making for a great mix of body and head highs.