Why is medical marijuana so expensive?

[Owl Mirror]

PuReKnOwLeDgE: You cannot argue with simple supply and demand ~ Compassionate use? ~ If not grow your own, or purchase something within your means.

So, if I understand you correctly, now that I have been disabled for 14 years, lost every penny I had and survive on a meager Social Security check each month (which gets eaten up by medical expenses) I am shit outa luck and deserve to not be able to purchase/afford marijuana above swag-level ?

Because I am now poor (used to be a six figure earner), I should grovel and beg for a little compassion while I support you and others with a six figure income and lifestyle ?

 

[medi-useA]

Hey JJ, I read in another thread that you give away 5 lbs a year. Tip of the hat to you for your compassion, but if you really wanted to help people you'd teach them to fish instead of giving them a fish dinner. Take your 5 lbs and sell it to a club. That gets you $12,500 at least, let's play with that number. Since you were giving the pot away we'll forget about your expenses in growing it. Now you take the $12,500 and buy grow equipment. You find qualified patients that can't afford the start up and start them up, i.e. you give them grow equipment instead of buds. Set them up so they grow more than they need and have them 'pay rent' on the equipment with end product. You then take the end product to the club, get money, find more qualified patients, lather, rinse, repeat. Instead of providing a few patients temporary relief you'll be providing many patients with a constant supply, and doing your part to increase supply, and decreasing the number of people willing to pay $20/gram to the dispensaries.

This puts lie to the phrase in your sig, mate....
"Selfish son-of-a-bitch"...I think NOT!

Damn good idea....gonna keep it in mind...might be able to work something like this myself if I can....thanks.


muA

 

[KermitTheHermit]

Anyone with any common sense can grow their own MJ with little or no investment, and little cost. The rules that are in place discourage this by making things difficult for both consumer and producer.

There's also no transparency. Anyone can claim they have the super duper magic bud that will provide that "soaring spiritual high" and cure all of your ills, sold of course for a premium price.

When I walk into my dispensary, and am shown their $20 grams of "English Cheese" or "Purple Urkle", just what the hell am I really getting?

Fancy names, colorful descriptions, clone-only strains, limited supplies - a lot of this sounds like designer jeans and purses. Web sites can help sort things out, but also provide another forum for hype and misinformation.

That's why it's not a free market, and why prices are artificially high. In real free markets, supply and demand find their own levels and set prices accordingly, and it's easier for the consumer to tell shit from shinola.

 

[Pythagllio]

So, if I understand you correctly, now that I have been disabled for 14 years, lost every penny I had and survive on a meager Social Security check each month (which gets eaten up by medical expenses) I am shit outa luck and deserve to not be able to purchase/afford marijuana above swag-level ?

Because I am now poor (used to be a six figure earner), I should grovel and beg for a little compassion while I support you and others with a six figure income and lifestyle ?

Here's a better question.: Why does that stuff happening to you mean that some stranger should give away his production and live at the same level as you, in order to be 'compassionate' in your mind? If I'm going to pick a stranger to help out there are literally billions of people in the world worse off than you. People dying for want of a couple of dollars worth of antibiotics, people starving to death, etc, etc, et al, which your slight discomfort doesn't hold a candle to. Cannabis is a palliative, not a curative.

Define poor in your world. Missed any meals this year? How about last year? Got a shelter to stay out of the elements? I'll bet that shelter is climate controlled, likely even air-conditioned, with hot and cold running water. Got a TV? I'll bet you do, I'll bet you have cable. Maybe poor means 'can't afford HBO'? I know you have Internet service. Does somebody pay for that for you out of 'compassion'? If your income is low enough your basic medical needs should be met, there's food stamps to help with food, oh yeah, you deserve compassion just as much, if not more, as that 32 year old guy in Africa that just passed away from TB that could have been cured with $10 of medicine, who was living in a thatched hut with no running water.

Take your 'I'm poor' whining and put it into perspective. Not to mention that unless you were fresh out of school there's no reason you shouldn't have provided for yourself when you had the resources. Now you want strangers to 'donate' their time and effort because you're in a lousy situation...though only lousy relative to those who are sitting pretty.

Hey, it's easy to grow 'weed', right? Any fucking moron can drop a few seeds here and there, and come back in a few months to tons and tons of medical grade cannabis. Just do that, and quit whining.

 

[Owl Mirror]

Here's a better question.: Why does that stuff happening to you mean that some stranger should give away his production and live at the same level as you, in order to be 'compassionate' in your mind? If I'm going to pick a stranger to help out there are literally billions of people in the world worse off than you. People dying for want of a couple of dollars worth of antibiotics, people starving to death, etc, etc, et al, which your slight discomfort doesn't hold a candle to. Cannabis is a palliative, not a curative.

Define poor in your world. Missed any meals this year? How about last year? Got a shelter to stay out of the elements? I'll bet that shelter is climate controlled, likely even air-conditioned, with hot and cold running water. Got a TV? I'll bet you do, I'll bet you have cable. Maybe poor means 'can't afford HBO'? I know you have Internet service. Does somebody pay for that for you out of 'compassion'? If your income is low enough your basic medical needs should be met, there's food stamps to help with food, oh yeah, you deserve compassion just as much, if not more, as that 32 year old guy in Africa that just passed away from TB that could have been cured with $10 of medicine, who was living in a thatched hut with no running water.

Take your 'I'm poor' whining and put it into perspective. Not to mention that unless you were fresh out of school there's no reason you shouldn't have provided for yourself when you had the resources. Now you want strangers to 'donate' their time and effort because you're in a lousy situation...though only lousy relative to those who are sitting pretty.

Hey, it's easy to grow 'weed', right? Any fucking moron can drop a few seeds here and there, and come back in a few months to tons and tons of medical grade cannabis. Just do that, and quit whining.

First of all, you know absolutely nothing regarding my situation or condition.
Secondly, your attitude certainly promotes http://www.safeaccessnow.org/

It's absolutely no use in discussing this issue with people such as yourself

 

[SeniorBuzz]

Because American's moral values get flushed once there's a dollar to be made. Case in point, charging the sick for medications they need. Thats profiting off of illness, no matter how you slice it. Same with prisons. We find something unprofitable, develop a middleman, and viola, profit. That pesky thing we were working to prevent has now become profitable. So now that we are making money off that problem, its no longer a problem. America boasts that its most profitable industry are ths drug companies. The same companies that make money off the sick and dying. For a country thats so up its own ass about its "Christian values", we sure as hell don't follow Jesus' example of just helping people because its right. No, we need another motivator. Money is that motivator. The root of all evil.

Perhaps, you and I, can help change that sunwukong.

I'm a newcomer to your thread/forum/medical marijuana, medical marijuana clubs, and marijuana in general. the SeniorBuzz handle just to clarify, although fitting, has absolutely nothing to do with smoking marijuana. my real nickname is Buzz, and I felt entitled to the Sr, when I became old enough.

that's a lot of unneeded information, I know, but just trying to cover some of the bases, so you know who I am not.

I'm fortunate enough to be in the CA Bay Area, and have only purchased from a MMJ dealer here once, and yes, the prices are higher, but not that much more, than the street, but you know what you are using, and from my very limited amount of observation, it's typically a little better quality, even a lot better quality, in some cases. If you go out of town, which I did this past Sat to attend a "cup" in Lake County (first time, great time), prices are lower, which means they are the street prices, or even lower than the street prices, in the Bay Area, and again with the street, there's no idea as to what you are smoking, and you will never know what type makes you feel your absolute best.

 

[Pythagllio]

Nice way to dodge the question. But it's probably a better strategy than trying to answer. It's much easier to use the red herring that 'I don't know you or your condition' as if it's somehow a spectacularly rare condition than to actually share facts about yourself. Of course the facts would demonstrate that my speculations are more accurate than not, that you're only 'poor' in your own mind, and that there are billions of people that are doing much worse and are much sicker than yourself, and much more worthy of the free ride you demand. I mean the -extended- free ride you're demanding, since you're already on a free ride at other's expense. Boo-hoo, Owl Mirror is 'poor', so 'poor' he can afford Internet service with which to complain about others not freely giving away their stuff to him. Somehow I doubt you're on dial up. Tell me, do you complain about your other medical providers making a living? Oh that's right, they get paid by the government teat you suckle on, so that they make a paycheck doesn't matter, it's only the providers which you pay directly that shouldn't be allowed to make a living. It pretty much demonstrates that it's all about money in your mind, yet you excoriate others who have the same motivation. Hey, if you want, we can go away. it won't do shit for getting you cheaper medicine, but it can happen if you push it far enough. We're only in it for the money. Take away the money, we take our ball and go home, we don't start giving whining little pathetic self proclaimed victims free supply. I've got a news flash for you pal, I really don't give a shit how you feel, what you feel, or what you think you 'deserve' just because your parents shared a dirty thought one night. If you think anything in your life comes before taking care of my family and myself you have another think coming. But it's ever so much fun watching the greedy 'poor' argue for more handouts and freebies. Hypocrisy in action.

I've never read any ASA literature that says that people shouldn't be compensated for their efforts. The day I read that, I quit, so please don't misrepresent ASA's views by substituting your own flawed, perverted, self serving vision.

 

[Owl Mirror]

Nice way to dodge the question. But it's probably a better strategy than trying to answer. It's much easier to use the red herring that 'I don't know you or your condition' as if it's somehow a spectacularly rare condition than to actually share facts about yourself. Of course the facts would demonstrate that my speculations are more accurate than not, that you're only 'poor' in your own mind, and that there are billions of people that are doing much worse and are much sicker than yourself, and much more worthy of the free ride you demand. I mean the -extended- free ride you're demanding, since you're already on a free ride at other's expense. Boo-hoo, Owl Mirror is 'poor', so 'poor' he can afford Internet service with which to complain about others not freely giving away their stuff to him. Somehow I doubt you're on dial up. Tell me, do you complain about your other medical providers making a living? Oh that's right, they get paid by the government teat you suckle on, so that they make a paycheck doesn't matter, it's only the providers which you pay directly that shouldn't be allowed to make a living. It pretty much demonstrates that it's all about money in your mind, yet you excoriate others who have the same motivation. Hey, if you want, we can go away. it won't do shit for getting you cheaper medicine, but it can happen if you push it far enough. We're only in it for the money. Take away the money, we take our ball and go home, we don't start giving whining little pathetic self proclaimed victims free supply. I've got a news flash for you pal, I really don't give a shit how you feel, what you feel, or what you think you 'deserve' just because your parents shared a dirty thought one night. If you think anything in your life comes before taking care of my family and myself you have another think coming. But it's ever so much fun watching the greedy 'poor' argue for more handouts and freebies. Hypocrisy in action.

I've never read any ASA literature that says that people shouldn't be compensated for their efforts. The day I read that, I quit, so please don't misrepresent ASA's views by substituting your own flawed, perverted, self serving vision.

You see, you once again misrepresent my words on this issue.
I NEVER said people of lesser means should be given a free ride.
Michigan Law stipulates the fair compensation for services rendered.
It also stipulates the patient owns 100% of the plants, not the caregiver.
Why is it MMMA and it's minions are circumventing the law by demanding the ability to sell 1/4 & 1/8 oz to the patients at comparable street pricing ?
As I believe you are well aware, Michigan Law states the caregiver is to be compensated for all supplies as well as a fair compensation for the service of growing the marijuana for the patient. They are not permitted to sell marijuana !

I know you and a few others on this web forum are hoping to trap me in to a situation where I can be banned. Sorry, not going to bite.

 

[PuReKnOwLeDgE]

Banned like at the MMMA, oh that would never happen lmao

Why would I risk my ass federally for next to nothing? Keep the nodes stretchy cheif

 

[bigbrokush]

Could you explain this comment further ?

Would be more than happy to break this down for you. The people that work for you need to be happy, a unhappy employee can do all kinds of thing to your business. Like just giving things away, stealing money, setting you up to be robbed. So as long as the inside feels good about the work place, and the work place is a happy space........... then all is well. So you pay that employee well, and you'll not have a problem. That cost will have to be past down to joe public. But at the same time $80-$90 for a 1/8 is to much.

 

[Owl Mirror]

Would be more than happy to break this down for you. The people that work for you need to be happy, a unhappy employee can do all kinds of thing to your business. Like just giving things away, stealing money, setting you up to be robbed. So as long as the inside feels good about the work place, and the work place is a happy space........... then all is well. So you pay that employee well, and you'll not have a problem. That cost will have to be past down to joe public. But at the same time $80-$90 for a 1/8 is to much.

Thanks

 

[Owl Mirror]

Why would I risk my ass federally for next to nothing?

That is your personal decision, chief

I notice you promote yourself as a Compliant Medical Marijuana Caregiver
I can only assume if you are familiar with MMMA, you reside in Michigan.
If that is the case, how is it you reject my statements regarding compensation for services rendered and, claim to be Compliant.
If you are claiming the caregiver system in Michigan allows for mimicking the compensation system in places like California, you can not be Compliant.

Listen, I personally do not need a caregiver. I simply do not like how a few people are dictating the price schedule a patient must pay. Especially when that scheme is not Compliant.

 

[Vespatian]

In 99% percent of the world, poor means watching your child starve to death in your arms. In this country it means having to borrow an XBox and not wanting to pay for weed.

 

[Owl Mirror]

In 99% percent of the world, poor means watching your child starve to death in your arms. In this country it means having to borrow an XBox and not wanting to pay for weed.

How demeaning

 

[danut]

If you are claiming the caregiver system in Michigan allows for mimicking the compensation system in places like California, you can not be Compliant.

Hummmm ..

Are you trying to say that anyone that is a caregiver in Michigan needs to donate their time free of charge to be legal?

 

[Balazar]

Once again we are stuck on greed vs. progress. I hope corporations and lobbying don't ruin this whole situation before it has a chance to succeed. It seems like the more dispensaries that pop up the more crooked and convoluted it gets. If there is anything we can learn from California it's that lack of regulations and insurance coverage for patients make the market favor drug dealers and profiteers that don't care about the original reason the exception to the federal law was made; to help people in need. If money is more important to you than helping people in need and sticking leo in his place you will never get my business and all I have to tell you is go pound sand.

 

[JJScorpio]

The problem is these so called "caregivers" are trying to make a living doing this instead of just being a caregiver.

People pretend it takes a great amount of time to do a 12 plant grow. While flowering, 15 min a day is more than enough time. If people want to be dealers, fine, but don't confuse dealers and caregivers.....

 

[Blue Dot]

The problem is these so called "caregivers" are trying to make a living doing this instead of just being a caregiver.

People pretend it takes a great amount of time to do a 12 plant grow. While flowering, 15 min a day is more than enough time. If people want to be dealers, fine, but don't confuse dealers and caregivers.....

Exactly. They want they law to read that it protects them as dealers when in reality it does not.

They try and twist 215's words every which way to make it sound like it really protects them but it does not.

Who here believed when they voted for 215 that they were really voting for all out dealing from storefronts?

 

[Owl Mirror]

Hummmm ..

Are you trying to say that anyone that is a caregiver in Michigan needs to donate their time free of charge to be legal?

Twisting my words doesn't serve you well, it only makes it plain your intent to be deceptive.

 

[Balazar]

The problem is these so called "caregivers" are trying to make a living doing this instead of just being a caregiver.

People pretend it takes a great amount of time to do a 12 plant grow. While flowering, 15 min a day is more than enough time. If people want to be dealers, fine, but don't confuse dealers and caregivers.....

You hit the nail right on the head. If recreational use is what your gunning for then make it happen, but don't take advantage of the sick in the processes. And don't pretend it's so hard or a lot of work. I have been down that road. The thing that makes this such an enticing business to try and run with is the fact that since an illegal market still exists the prices can be inflated above black market prices that are already inflated to start with. It's just like being a drug dealer. Like I said earlier you will not find a terminally ill person or someone that only uses for medical reasons in a dispensary. Most of the customers are people that have a legitimate medical reason to be there, but use primarily for recreation. That is why they are willing to pay recreational prices. They don't require 1/2 oz. a week, they are all casual recreational smokers. And there is nothing wrong with that, except that it makes the patient that NEEDS it into the underdog.