Although cannabis is now legal in many states, that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. And even if you can afford it, a lot of dispensaries limit the trips you can make and how much you can buy during each visit.
If you’re using a medical marijuana card to get access to your cannabis, you’re probably monitored closely. It’s easier to get your hands on recreational marijuana in some states. But if you want to make sure you’re getting the good stuff, a dispensary is the way to go.
It probably seems like you’re out of your stash long before it’s time to renew your supplies. Cannabis goes fast when you aren’t paying attention to what you’re doing with it.
To conserve your weed (and save money, too), try these five tips.
1. Buy in Halves
Most people buy their weed in ounces, but you can get a discount in a lot of dispensaries by asking for half-ounces. This is 14 grams of cannabis, so you can break it up evenly.
When you get home, split your half-ounce stash up into pieces that are about 1 gram each. You could spread this out over two weeks this way, but even if you don’t, it’s easier to keep an eye on where your weed is going.
Every time you grab a gram, pay attention to how much is left. When you get down to the last few, it’s time to start planning for your next shopping trip.
2. Switch to Vaping
Smoking joints and blunts give you the fastest high because the compounds go straight to your bloodstream. However, they’re also the easiest way to burn through your cannabis stash without realizing it.
Vaping gives you the same quick effects with less than half the amount of weed. You can measure how much you’re putting in your vaporizer, too, which lets you control your product.
This form of inhaling cannabis uses less of the plant but gives you the same or more of a high. The reason for this is that smoking converts 25 percent or less of THC and cannabinoids into your body. But vaporizers can boost this into nearly double that amount.
You’re also saving money with vaping because you can reuse the pen. Joints and blunts burn up, so you need to keep buying the rolling paper.
4. Get Your MMJ Card
Maybe your state has made recreational use legal, and you’re wondering why you should get a medical marijuana card. Well, if money is a concern, the answer is simple: taxes.
Many states have jumped on board legalizing cannabis because they can tax it sky-high. The ‘excise tax’ is a percentage of the selling price, and it’s used on goods like alcohol, pornography, and, now, cannabis.
Because it’s on things that are socially “bad for you,” the taxes are usually high to discourage consumers from using them. Washington, for instance, charges a 37% excise tax on these goods. Recreational marijuana is included in that category.
You may even see taxes in addition to excise taxes. States and local governments often have a general sales tax, and cultivator taxes are becoming more and more normal.
When you purchase your cannabis through a dispensary with an MMJ card, a lot of these taxes are exempt.
5. Store Your Weed Carefully
Buds will deteriorate quickly if they’re not stored right. Even if yours came in a plastic bag, it shouldn’t stay there.
To make sure your stash lasts as long as possible, it needs to be kept away from moisture, heat, and light.
Don’t grind cannabis until you’re ready to use it because this releases the terpenes. Terpenes are what cause the flavor and aroma you want, and once they’re released, they evaporate quickly.
Instead, store your supply in a sealed glass jar. Keep it in a cool, dark pantry, cabinet, or fridge. It’ll last longer when you don’t grind it ahead of time, and you store it in a tightly sealed container.
Conclusion
Whether your goal is to save money or make your product last longer, these tips will help you conserve your cannabis stash. It’s a valuable commodity, so kick the moochers out and keep an eye on how you’re using your weed. Like all good things, it can disappear fast when you’re not paying attention!