Why is medical marijuana so expensive?

[JJScorpio]

Just so people don't get the wrong idea, regarding me and my feelings regarding MM let me clarify.

For years, all I heard was how people should be able to use marijuana to help with their illnesses. On top of this, the big argument was pharmacutical companies were ripping people off and with marijuana people would be able to afford it and it would do a better job alleviating the pain. It sounded so good to hear how fellow growers wanted to help those in need enjoy the benefits from a plant that we all love.

Fast forward to the MM scene today. The scumbags, and I'm going to use the word scumbags, have forgotten all about what the cause was for. Just like the Government, some scumbags have found an oppurtunity to use phisical pain as a way to get every penny they can get from a human being in need. Yesterday, I heard how one scumbag took someones car in a barter for weed the person needed. The price set on the weed was 300 dollars per ounce, the same as the street price. This scumbag has been preying on this person to the point of draining what money they have and now is going for their possessions. This person would have been far better off getting pharma meds with their medicaire and been able to keep their possessions. And this same story can be heard all over the place. I'm afraid it's going to take the Gov't stepping in to put a stop to this. And trust me when I tell you that when these stories begin to surface to the Attorney Generals of the States it's happening in, they will step in.

To those scumbags that preached about how they wanted MM to help people, and are now ripping people off, karma is a real bitch. And I hope those of you that are taking advantage of sick people that are suffering, get what you got coming. To those of you that truly look out for people in need, there's a special place waiting for you people.

So people don't think I'm talking out my ass let me tell you a story. Yesterday I ran into a man, who's wife has had MS for many years. He works at a high labor menial job with menial pay and is not a very smart person. Yet he goes to work every day and buys a little bit for his wife when he can. I didn't have the best outdoor this year but I gave this man an ounce, two plants ready to flower, a mother plant, soil, pots and two extra floro lights I had kicking around. He went inside and came out and handed me 55 dollars and was embarrassed to tell me it was all he had and that he could afford to give me a little every month until we were square. I gave him back his money. He needed it more than I did. I went to bed last night feeling a sense of peace. And I slept very well last night.

I'm not saying that people should be growing and selling to people for free. But when someone is taking all of someone's money and then their personal possessions, it's gone to far. This isn't something you should be doing for a living. It's something you should be doing to make a little extra money and to help those that can't help themselves....

 

[Grizvok]

Just so people don't get the wrong idea, regarding me and my feelings regarding MM let me clarify.

For years, all I heard was how people should be able to use marijuana to help with their illnesses. On top of this, the big argument was pharmacutical companies were ripping people off and with marijuana people would be able to afford it and it would do a better job alleviating the pain. It sounded so good to hear how fellow growers wanted to help those in need enjoy the benefits from a plant that we all love.

Fast forward to the MM scene today. The scumbags, and I'm going to use the word scumbags, have forgotten all about what the cause was for. Just like the Government, some scumbags have found an oppurtunity to use phisical pain as a way to get every penny they can get from a human being in need. Yesterday, I heard how one scumbag took someones car in a barter for weed the person needed. The price set on the weed was 300 dollars per ounce, the same as the street price. This scumbag has been preying on this person to the point of draining what money they have and now is going for their possessions. This person would have been far better off getting pharma meds with their medicaire and been able to keep their possessions. And this same story can be heard all over the place. I'm afraid it's going to take the Gov't stepping in to put a stop to this. And trust me when I tell you that when these stories begin to surface to the Attorney Generals of the States it's happening in, they will step in.

To those scumbags that preached about how they wanted MM to help people, and are now ripping people off, karma is a real bitch. And I hope those of you that are taking advantage of sick people that are suffering, get what you got coming. To those of you that truly look out for people in need, there's a special place waiting for you people.

So people don't think I'm talking out my ass let me tell you a story. Yesterday I ran into a man, who's wife has had MS for many years. He works at a high labor menial job with menial pay and is not a very smart person. Yet he goes to work every day and buys a little bit for his wife when he can. I didn't have the best outdoor this year but I gave this man an ounce, two plants ready to flower, a mother plant, soil, pots and two extra floro lights I had kicking around. He went inside and came out and handed me 55 dollars and was embarrassed to tell me it was all he had and that he could afford to give me a little every month until we were square. I gave him back his money. He needed it more than I did. I went to bed last night feeling a sense of peace. And I slept very well last night.

I'm not saying that people should be growing and selling to people for free. But when someone is taking all of someone's money and then their personal possessions, it's gone to far. This isn't something you should be doing for a living. It's something you should be doing to make a little extra money and to help those that can't help themselves....

Thanks for that man.

 

[Hydrosun]

I'm not saying that people should be growing and selling to people for free. But when someone is taking all of someone's money and then their personal possessions, it's gone to far. This isn't something you should be doing for a living. It's something you should be doing to make a little extra money and to help those that can't help themselves....

That is way messed up. My friends and family always know there are brownies or other great things available to them which have super med effects. Thanks for giving lights and ladies into the universe, that is what will eventually reduce the price of MMJ. OverGrow the government, OverGrow big pharma, OverGrow the cartels, OverGrow the dispensaries and the law of supply and demand will see prices plummet; this is a weed after all.

Any scumbag who preys on the weaknesses of another has a special future described by Dante.

I think this is a wonderful thing to do, and if you do it 80hrs a week you better be doing it for a living or your priorities are out of whack. If your garden and time is small then you don't have any supply to gouge people with. If your garden and investment of time and money is huge your ability to do good or evil is huge. ICmag helps people find their better path.

On a side note I signed over my old car (running but beat to hell) to a MMJ patient, as long as I can borrow it back once or twice a year to haul junk around I'll be happy.

I'm happiest bringing more and more good things into the universe, thank you all for helping spread the knowledge.

Peace,

Some of what I did yesterday

 

[Moldy Dreads]

Beautiful root mass there, deyummm, did you veg in the pots for a while or did all that grow in flower? Holy Mackerel!

 

[THE GENERAL]

come on dude, IF u dont like paying for it grow ur own. there are a lot of collectives that help low income and seniors..

 

[Blimey]

I don't live in a MMJ state. But my take on the concept of MMJ if not the implementation is this:

You want to grow marijuana for sick people that need it. That's great. Sure, I can see how getting compensated for what you spend on lights, electric, growing medium etc (the "stuff you have to buy in oder to grow"). Also maybe your gas money if you deliver. Doing this shouldn't put you out-of-pocket. So divide that out. It won't be much per gram, or eighth or oz, really.

But paying yourself an hourly wage? C'mon. This is charity, isn't it? Would you demand $20 an hour if you were volunteering down the soup kitchen? Or helping out at the free clinic? Or something for a local church?

You can be a commercial grower if you want. You can be a commercial grower and supply exclusively to sick people and dispensaries. But if you're making a living out of it, you are a commercial grower, not a carer for someone.

Similarly, why are dispensary owners paying themselves and their staff good salaries? Shouldn't these places be staffed by volunteers? Just make enough to pay the rent, taxes and utilities. That will be less that $60 for an eighth.

The problem is compounded by the range of patients. A low-income patient with crippling MS, Crohn's disease, arthritis.....fine. No one says they don't deserve access to affordable medicine. A guy with a medical card for "writer's block" or some other vague thing.....it's less of a sure thing. Harder to get someone to give up 10 hours a week for free to ensure he gets his 2 ounces a month. But they all go to the same dispensary.


Commercial growers are one thing, as are the big dispensaries, and what JJScorpio and others are doing is another. Let's not confuse the two.

MMJ should be cheaper than it is, but it's built on a commercial model, not a compassionate one.

 

[als83]

back to the prices!
still 20-25 a gram and 50-60-70 for an 1/8 here in colorado..$70-1/8th for outdoor tumbled crap is crazy when i can get topnotch nuggs off the street for 40-50 an 1/8.

at $25 per gram thats >>> $11,200 per pound ..then they have the nerve to say well we are paying $4000lb and we make little profit off of patients. any1 shop making 11,200 per LB should be shut down! 7,200 profit off a pound is crazy..if i had 3 lbs and sold grams i would not need to work for the rest of the year.

$70 a eigth yikes ... i thought i was getting skinned at $50/1/8 th here
in cali...looks like you got the pot provider from HELL too...........


...the solution is stop growing the perfect pot plant high in thc

....and start
refining the prouct... 30 years ago i had cancer and was given
100% govt thc caps... (marinol wasn't invented)....they worked
pretty good too... i would like to see 100 caps at 100% at 500mg
for $10 in the pharmacies sold with all the other drugs..since the
dispensariers are ripping us off...

heck its easy to refine... my roomate used to make hash oil from
cheap low grade plants which was dam close to 100% 30 years agoif he
could do it in the kitchen any idiot can ...folks have been making
hash for thousands of years...which is dam near 100% thc...

why grow the "perfect pot plant"??? refine it.. when they were
looking for gold in colo and ca ...they didn't just look for nugets
instead they refine what they find...same with steel ore.. or copper
ore ...you refine the ore... you don't look for 100% ore you refine
it

refine it is the key...to cheap and high thc in your weed

would you pay $6,200 for a head of lettuce that weights a lb
well thats what my pot provider makes for selling a lb of weed
at $50/ a eight

als

 

[danut]

This isn't something you should be doing for a living.

Why not?

 

[als83]

PS I really would love to get more per square foot day and dollar spent on the electric company, suggestions welcomed.

refine low thc pot grown ceaph into 100% tch...ever hear oh hash or hash oil
my roomated did the same in our kitchen 30 years ..if he did it then you can do it
now...

als83

 

[als83]

No man, please show me where I said someone had to suffer in pain??
If you cannot afford the top shelf, then buy the cheaper stuff...it still does the same thing, if you are using it for medical reasons--
I am not saying buy shitty weed...there are many decent strains out there in the clubs that are very much cheaper than the top shelf meds....I was just saying that would be a good way to start--
Don't bother trying to insult me by saying I sound like so and so....I won't bite-- I am not demeaning anybody...only stating my opinion and joining in on a discussion...no need to get mad--

no ....using cheaper stuff does not work in my medical case... the
higher the thc the better the med...cheaper meds do not take away
my pain...

refine...from low grade pot grown cheaply is the
solution

i would love to see 100% 100 500mg THC pills in my local
pharmacy with my insurance paying for it as they do all my other
meds


als83

a als patient with home pot delivery from the pot provider from
helll... wish i could grow my own

 

[Owl Mirror]

MMJ should be cheaper than it is, but it's built on a commercial model, not a compassionate one.

Squeezing out the Mexican Cartel for a share of the market = "a commercial model" ?

I'm afraid our domestic community is simply doing that and, not honoring the compassion invested by the people in the voting booth. When the citizens of a state are petitioned to place this question on a ballot and, hopefully gains enough support to be put to a vote. It is always promoted as a compassionate act. Never have I seen the argument that it would be a financial windfall for the many caregivers needed.

What I would like to see happen in the various states which now allow medical marijuana is, a movement by people who volunteer to assist patients in getting started growing on their own. like that old saying about 'teach a man to fish, ...' ?

Rather than organizing a system based upon a professional-level marijuana growing community that is based upon profit. Why not a community-based system of classroom presentations that people could come together, either patient or their caregiver to learn how best to provide for themselves ?

I hear there is a University out in Oaksterdam yet, I believe it costs a few hundred dollars for a few day crash course.

I would like to see a state approved location, preferably a greenhouse that people could visit, obtain personalized assistance as well as one hour lectures and demonstrations. I believe this should be funded yet, find ways to keep the cost at a minimum.

A system such as I suggest would reduce the dependency on dispensaries yet, merely be left to compete, not eliminate. If people do not wish to take part in this educational opportunity and would rather spend money buying a bag over the counter, so be it. I just want choice.

We all know the many NEWBIE question from people, struggling to figure this activity out on their own. Why not as a compassionate community, we come together and offer everyone hands on and demonstrations from experienced growers and give patients a better chance at success?

The one stumbling block of my plan above is having a dedicated location and, security from prosecution by those present on the premises at any moment.
Resolving that aspect with State Administrators, by explaining this concept in detail might just garner their support and make it a reality.

 

[Grizvok]

no ....using cheaper stuff does not work in my medical case... the
higher the thc the better the med...cheaper meds do not take away
my pain...

refine...from low grade pot grown cheaply is the
solution

i would love to see 100% 100 500mg THC pills in my local
pharmacy with my insurance paying for it as they do all my other
meds


als83

a als patient with home pot delivery from the pot provider from
helll... wish i could grow my own

You understand that is pertaining to your specific condition, right?

Don't lump everything together because doing so would be false. Plenty of conditions have been shown to respond much much better to the actual consumption of the cannabis plant than to swallowing THC pills.

 

[Owl Mirror]

no ....using cheaper stuff does not work in my medical case... the
higher the thc the better the med...cheaper meds do not take away
my pain...

refine...from low grade pot grown cheaply is the
solution

i would love to see 100% 100 500mg THC pills in my local
pharmacy with my insurance paying for it as they do all my other
meds


als83

a als patient with home pot delivery from the pot provider from
helll... wish i could grow my own

Wouldn't that render the beauty, fragrance and taste of various strains, mute ?
Should that be a consideration for a medicinal user ?
I notice that DESIGNER strains are all the rage these days.
How would rendering, affect those markets ?

 

[Owl Mirror]

a als patient with home pot delivery from the pot provider from helll...
wish i could grow my own

I believe my comment to Blimey above, provides the answer to your comment of:
"wish i could grow my own".

 

[zenoonez]

People who can't afford top shelf are not entitled to it. As people have said before, some mid grades will get you just as ripped/medicated as some top shelf rock hard buds. For people with lower incomes, growing should be the first option. If a person is unable to grow then they should apply for one of programs to help patients get affordable meds, most dispensaries have them or they should find a caregiver who will agree to a price at the outset and to provide a certain weight per month. However, people who are in these programs shouldn't expect the most dank hardest buds from the plant, they should expect popcorn and lower parts of colas. They are providing less money and depending upon their need to justify their supply. As such they are in essence looking for charity and I am sure all of us are familiar with the old saying beggars cant be choosers. I am not in opposition to growers choosing to give needy patients product at a lower price, I am simply against people who think it should be required.

 

[Owl Mirror]

People who can't afford top shelf are not entitled to it. As people have said before, some mid grades will get you just as ripped/medicated as some top shelf rock hard buds. For people with lower incomes, growing should be the first option. If a person is unable to grow then they should apply for one of programs to help patients get affordable meds, most dispensaries have them or they should find a caregiver who will agree to a price at the outset and to provide a certain weight per month. However, people who are in these programs shouldn't expect the most dank hardest buds from the plant, they should expect popcorn and lower parts of colas. They are providing less money and depending upon their need to justify their supply. As such they are in essence looking for charity and I am sure all of us are familiar with the old saying beggars cant be choosers. I am not in opposition to growers choosing to give needy patients product at a lower price, I am simply against people who think it should be required.

Would you be in agreement of promoting a contract that states a set price for 'services rendered' and the patient take the plants home to dry & cure ?

Calculate nutes, energy and time spent for the 90-120 days it would take to grow the crop through fruition?

Hypothetically: $100 for nutes, $100 for energy and $10 per day for the duration of the growing cycle.

A crop that takes 120 days would be compensated @ $1400 and, the patient carries their fresh-cut plants home. If they contract for the caregiver to dry and cure the buds, an additional expense would be negotiated.

That seems fair and compassionate to me, I don't view that arrangement as 'Wanting FREE buds" or Slavery.

 

[Hydrosun]

Squeezing out the Mexican Cartel for a share of the market = "a commercial model" ?

I'm afraid our domestic community is simply doing that and, not honoring the compassion invested by the people in the voting booth. When the citizens of a state are petitioned to place this question on a ballot and, hopefully gains enough support to be put to a vote.

Why won't anyone address my contention that NO PERSON has the moral justification to say what I do or do not grow on my land. You imply that because a majority gets together and says I can or can't grow something they have the moral or ethical right to so command my behavior.

Whatever you may do in a voting booth please don't think you are IN ANY WAY creating a duty or obligation on me to be compassionate, or to HONOR your compassion.

Again I said I NEED a Ferrari, and I can get SEVERAL doctors to recommend a Ferrari (it just fits my spine perfectly). This is a medical device you see, quite necessary just like grandma's scooter. Because I need it and a doctor has recommended it to me than YOU should HONOR my NEED and GIVE it to me, or at least let me buy it at cost and you throw a fund raiser for me.

Peace,

 

[danut]

A crop that takes 120 days would be compensated @ $1400 and, the patient carries their fresh-cut plants home. If they contract for the caregiver to dry and cure the buds, an additional expense would be negotiated.

That seems fair and compassionate to me, I don't view that arrangement as 'Wanting FREE buds" or Slavery.

I think that would be a good arrangement. As long as the patient pays even if the plant gets ripped off by either police or thieves or insects or whatever else could go wrong.

Oh yes .. and the patient pays even if the total harvest is five grams.

 

[BiG H3rB Tr3E]

WHY IS MEDICAL MARIJUANA SO EXPENSIVE?

WHY IS REGULAR MEDICINE SO EXDPENSIVE? THEY DONT EVEN HAVE TO RISK PRISON TIME. AND THEY SEE PROFITS IN THE BILLIONS. THEN SOME OF YOU LOOK AT THESE DISPENSARIES WHO *MAY* BE PULLING A MILLION OR TWO IN PROFITS A YEAR AND SAY THEY ARE EVIL????? THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY ISNT COMPASSIONATE IN THE LEAST. THEY HAVE LET THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE THEIR TREATMENT WOULD COST MORE THAN THE AMOUNT THE PATIENT IS PAYING IN COVERAGE. I KNOW THAT DISPENSARIES CHARGE PRETY EXPENSIVE, BUT COMPARED TO WHAT? THE STREET DEALER WHO WILL SELL YOU ANY SHIT HE GETS, REGARDLESS IF IT HAS MOLD, MILDEW, OR BUGS? I THINK SOME OF YOU ARE STILL LIVING IN THIS HIPPIE PIPE DREAM THAT "FREE THE WEED" ACTUALLY MEANS YOU WILL GET FREE WEED FOR DOING NOTHING. THAT IS NOT THE CASE IN ANY MARKET, AND IT CERTAINLY WONT BE HAPPENING HERE. IF THERE IS SUCH A DESIRE, AND MEDICINE IS SO EASY TO GROW, WHY NOT ALL FORM HUGE COLLECTIVES AND THEN YOU CAN COVER THE MINIMALISTS COSTS AT MAYBE 50-100 DOLLARS PER OUNCE. BUT IF IT WERE SO EASY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE DISPENSARIES, AND PATIENTS WOULD NOT HAVE A RELIABLE SOURCE FOR THEIR MEDICINE, AND THEY WOULD BE RIGHT BACK ON THE STREET SMOKING THE MOLD COVERED BUG INFESTED WEED

 

[danut]

^^ LOL .. got a bit excited eh?