When it comes to shopping for cannabis, there are more choices than ever, which means fierce competition to offer shoppers the best value for their money. From robust menus of cultivars at tiered price points, to enticing dispensary deals and discounts, we’re breaking down how to shop for cannabis so you know you’re getting the most out of every dollar you spend.
Dispensary Prices
Dispensaries use menus to display all of their flower prices at a glance. Many dispensaries have their menus available online so you can plan your purchase before you go, and some offer convenient online ordering for pickup or delivery service for a fee.
Most dispensaries organize cultivars into price tiers, based on quality of the cultivar, size/weight of the package, and available promotional options (if any). Cannabis flower is available for purchase by weight: 1 gram, 3.5 grams (an 1/8th), or 14 grams (half an ounce).
Depending which state you live in, there are limitations on how much product you’re able to buy at once. In Massachusetts, 1 oz. is the maximum amount of marijuana flower that you can buy in a single purchase if you’re a recreational customer.
Dispensary menu example
Most dispensaries will have an adult use or recreational menu that looks similar to the one below:
| Flower Tiers | Gram | 1/8th | 1/2 oz. |
| Tier 1 | $10 | $40 | $130 |
| Tier 2 | $15 | $50 | $150 |
| Top tier | $18 | $60 | $186 |
For each tier, there are usually multiple cultivars to choose from. If a cultivar is at a low tier, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad quality, but it may not be quite as potent as a higher tier, or it’s possible that the dispensary grew an over abundance of flower and had extremely high yields.
A cultivar listed in one of the top tiers top tiers could be of rare genetics that can’t be found anywhere else, or it may have higher than average THC content.
Similar to a grocery store, there are similar products made by different manufacturers — brand name options are at a higher price point than those of brands or cultivars that are not as well recognized. The quality differs between brands, but when you’re shopping for value, it’s up to you to decide which is the better buy.
Keep in mind that prices for medical or patients are typically lower in most states.
Dispensary Prices vs. Street Prices
A common misconception is cannabis legally available for purchase is more expensive than cannabis you could buy from a friend. While this may be true for the rare cultivars, there are a lot of options that are just as affordable as what you’d buy privately and plenty that are even more affordable.
If you’re considering value, however, it’s a better deal to legally purchase cannabis at a dispensary than informally. In a legal, licensed dispensary, you have access to far more information about the products:
- The license number and name of the manufacturer
- Where it was grown and packaged
- If the cultivation used pesticides
- The date it was harvested
- The date it was packaged
- The terpene and cannabinoid profile (tested by an official lab)
The dispensary staff will also have third-party lab test results, which are called a Certificate of Analysis or COA, for all cultivars readily available should you want to see them. When you purchase cannabis off the street, it’s possible you may know what cultivar it is, but it’s unlikely that you’ll have access to any further information. And there’s no guarantee that what you are consuming is safe.
Dispensary Deals
Typically, dispensary deals are organized by type of products or by discounts. For example, Munchie Monday would be discounts on edibles. Two For Tuesday could mean ‘Buy Two, Get One’ or a discount on certain cultivars, Wax Wednesdays an offer on concentrates, and so on. You’ll also find that dispensaries offer discounts for new customers, so you can expect to get some freebies on your first visit to any dispensary.
In Massachusetts, only medical patients are eligible for discounts, but loyalty programs such as the Happy Valley Rewards Program are becoming more popular in the cannabis industry. Like a grocery store or other retailer, the more you shop, the more rewards you’ll earn and rewards range from cash discounts to free products.
Happy Valley has the following discounts for medical patients:
- New Patient: 20% off entire order
- Birthday: 20% off of one item
- Veteran’s: 10% off entire order
- Compassionate Care Discount: 30% off entire order
- Senior Discount: 10% off entire order
- Financial Hardship: 10% off entire order
Be the First to Hear About Happy Valley Specials
We founded Happy Valley to solve a problem. We were frustrated with the inconsistencies and lack of accountability within the industry, so we took matters into our own hands. We now offer cannabis enthusiasts a premium-quality cannabis experience with no hidden surprises. We are proud of the value we offer our customers every day.
Visit our cannabis dispensaries in Gloucester or East Boston for premium recreational and medical cannabis products, from flower to concentrates.
And to keep up with Happy Valley events, news, and dispensary deals, scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email to become a Happy Valley Insider.
