How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost in California?

How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost in California?

Qualified patients, and caregivers, visiting California medical marijuana dispensaries will find that prices vary depending on a number of factors including location and cannabis quality. Other important factors that determine the prices of medical marijuana products at dispensaries are marijuana quality and product type. On average, the price of 1 ounce of high quality marijuana in California is $257. Medium quality cannabis of the same quantity costs $207.

Can You Use a Credit Card at a Dispensary in California?

No. While this may be possible in some dispensaries, this option is usually short-lived. US banks and credit card companies are quick to block marijuana-related transactions as soon as they discover them. This is because cannabis is still a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level. However, Californians visiting medical cannabis dispensaries can pay for their orders with cash, debit cards, and mobile app payment options.

Does California Tax Medical Marijuana Sales?

Yes. California has three sets of taxes for marijuana sales. These are sales tax (9.5%), excise tax (15%), and local taxes (variable) charged by cities and counties. Medical marijuana patients with California medical marijuana identification cards are exempt from sales tax at the point of purchase.

Does Recreational Marijuana Cost More than Medical Marijuana in California?

While medical marijuana dispensaries and users only pay two out of California’s three marijuana taxes, recreational marijuana dispensaries and users pay all three. Therefore, adult-use cannabis is likely to cost more than medical cannabis in California.

How to Save Money on the Cost of Medical Marijuana in California

While California does not have a medical marijuana policy for providing discounted cannabis to medical cannabis patients, the state allows nonprofits to run compassion programs that give donated cannabis to veterans and low-income patients. Registered medical cannabis patients in California can also save money on the cost of their marijuana prescriptions by choosing to grow their own supply of marijuana. The state allows any qualified patient registered with its medical marijuana program to grow up to 6 mature (or 12 immature) cannabis plants for personal use.

Other ways to save money on the cost of medical cannabis in California include switching from smokable marijuana to edibles for their longer-lasting effects; buying bulk quantities of medical cannabis (up to the maximum allowed) rather than smaller quantities; and shopping around in order to find lower prices at competing dispensaries.