Buying Cannabis from a Dispensary vs. Unlicensed Sources
Cannabis dispensaries and delivery services are opening all over in states that have legalized medical and recreational cannabis. However, the growth in legal cannabis dispensaries has not removed unlicensed cannabis sellers from the equation. There are reasons why cannabis consumers choose to buy from their local street connection over a legal dispensary and vice versa. This article will emphasize why cannabis users purchase from one or the other and why it makes more sense for a cannabis consumer to purchase from a legal and licensed business.
Why Consumers Choose to Purchase from an Unlicensed Source
There are two primary reasons for why cannabis users will purchase from their local, unlicensed seller: cost and convenience.
Cost
Cost is a key factor for many cannabis users when choosing where to purchase their products. The unlicensed seller does not have to raise their costs to offset expenses of advertising, distribution, licensing, etc., and their cannabis is untaxed. The cost of an eighth on the street could be about $20-$30 less than it would be from a dispensary, which makes cost the most prominent reason for why some users choose to buy from off the street.
Convenience
Convenience is another large reason why some users purchase cannabis from unlicensed sources. Even if you live in a state where cannabis is legal, purchasing from a dispensary can be inconvenient, or even impossible, because of local restrictions. There may not be a dispensary within 25 miles of your location or a delivery service that goes to your address. However, you may know someone down the street who sells cannabis. If a consumer lives in an area that is not conveniently located to a dispensary or delivery service, they likely will look for other ways to buy cannabis.
Why Consumers Choose to Buy from Legal Dispensaries
The main reasons for purchasing from a legal and licensed dispensary include quality control, cannabinoid information, and the quality of the buying experience.
Quality Control
One of the biggest risks with buying cannabis off the street is that you can never guarantee what you’re buying. Laced cannabis has always been a problem when buying off the street. Years ago, the concern was that instead of cannabis, an unlicensed seller could be selling the cheaper and more dangerous, PCP. Today, the deadly narcotic, fentanyl, is being laced in cannabis and sold on the street. When you buy from a dispensary, you can guarantee that what you’re buying is 100% lab-tested cannabis. In order to guarantee quality, you have to buy from a licensed cannabis business.
Cannabinoid Information
Another advantage of buying from a dispensary is knowing the exact ratio of cannabinoids in every product and strain that you purchase. Every strain will affect your brain differently based on the ratio of THC to CBD in the flower. One consumer may not like high THC strains and prefers products higher in CBD that produce more of a relaxing body high. When a consumer buys off the street, they have no way of knowing that what they’re purchasing is even 100% cannabis, let alone what the percentages of THC and CBD are in the product. When you buy from a dispensary, you have access to all information about the product based on laboratory tests.
The Buying Experience
There are a number of risks when choosing to buy cannabis off the street. One of those risks includes the buying experience itself. The unlicensed seller you purchase from could be involved in other criminal activity, and therefore any interaction you have with them can always put you at risk. Buying from a dispensary or a legal delivery service, however, is a safe and enjoyable experience. Anyone who is passionate about cannabis can testify to how exciting it is to visit a dispensary. Most dispensaries have knowledgeable and informed budtenders who can procure a perfect recommendation based on your preferences and needs. When you buy from an unlicensed source, you can only hope what they’re selling is safe and enjoyable.
