BlackMarket: Why do people continue to use their local 420 over dispensary?

It’s been reported that last year, an estimated 68 percent of weed sales occurred outside of the state-regulated market in MA. I’m sure the CT numbers are just as staggering, possibly even more extensive. But why do you think that is? So, I took an opportunity to dive into this a little bit and here’s what I found:

#1 answer to this question is costs. On average, what will cost you $15-$20 ‘Black Market’ will run you $40-$50 in a dispensary. I get it though, it costs a lot of money to grow weed indoors and run a dispensary while abiding by all regulations. But the problem isn’t entirely the cost of the product.

If you are a patient in CT it’ll cost between $100-$200 dollars to see a doctor and then an additional $100 to the state to get the medical card needed to shop in one of the CT dispensaries. That’s a costly card. So with all costs in mind on the consumer end, $20 on an eighth starts to become a bit more appealing. It’s simple economics.

It was the #2 answer that I found the most interesting though.

#2 answer to this question was “Relationships”.
Many indicate that their DEEP DARK OVERLORD DRUG DEAL is a family member, long-time friend, or even their neighbor. That’s right. It’s not the shady guy hanging out under the street light with his collar turned up flipping a coin and smoking a cigarette. It’s the people that they hang out with anyway. So it becomes a matter of trust. They trust their friends and family over corporate products and it’s easier. Easier?

Along with that comes the ease of procurement. Most would rather go to a loved ones home or have them visit, then go out of their way to find a dispensary. Meeting up for coffee sounds way more interesting than standing in a long line at a store. Any extra cash you save can go towards a pizza, Doritos, and a Gatorade. Plus, a dispensary is never going to smoke a joint with you and sit down and ponder life’s eternal questions… So, there’s that.

#3 answer to this question was Consistency
One thing that’s very common in CT Dispensary is that you never get the same thing twice. In many cases, one can always find oils within the same variables. But the flower is constantly changing. I’m not saying that none of the producers have a staple strain. But what if your staple strain isn’t for everyone? Many private growers focus on just a few strains.

“I only smoke GG4. My friend, she has it all the time. That’s one of the only strains she grows. I don’t smoke anything else.” One person indicated.

Many shared a similar tale…

But lastly, before I conclude, many say they do both. They enjoy having what would seem like limitless options of variety at all times and they don’t really care if they ever see the same thing twice. There’s certainly room for that out there. They love all of it.

So, in conclusion, it would seem that friends, family, and neighbors are hooking up their loved-ones at lower costs because they don’t have giant operations costs floating over their heads like a blood-soaked axe. In addition, it would seem that not having multiple investors looking for profits allows a person to focus on those few special strains that they can make and call their own. It makes it more unique and personal.


PS
Procurement and allocation has remained the same for a LONG time. A phone call leads to a visit or a meeting. It’s been that way forever. Stop trying to change everything so much. The further along we get, the further away we get from what it is…