How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost in Massachusetts?

How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost in Massachusetts?

Medical marijuana dispensaries across Massachusetts charge varying prices for cannabis sold to eligible patients. In addition to location, the price of marijuana is also determined by the quality and strain of cannabis used in the final product. For example, the average price of 1 ounce of high quality marijuana in Massachusetts is $341 while the same amount of medium quality marijuana costs $282.

Can You Use a Credit Card at a Dispensary in Massachusetts?

No. With the major US banks and credit card companies blocking marijuana-related transactions, dispensaries are wary to accept credit cards for payment. Until marijuana becomes legal at the federal level, credit card payments are unlikely to be accepted at dispensaries across the nation. Medical cannabis patients in Massachusetts can, however, pay for the orders with cash. Some dispensaries also accept debit cards and select mobile app payments.

Does Massachusetts Tax Medical Marijuana Sales?

No. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not tax medical marijuana sales. However, a medical marijuana treatment center (medical cannabis dispensary) may pay community impact fees to the Massachusetts city or town where it is located. This fee may not exceed 3% of the gross sales of the dispensary and cannot be paid for longer than 5 years.

Does Recreational Marijuana Cost More than Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts?

While Massachusetts does not tax medical marijuana sales, it levies multiple taxes on adult-use cannabis sales. Therefore, recreational marijuana is likely to be more expensive than medical cannabis in the state. Massachusetts charges a 10.74% excise tax on all marijuana transferred to a retailer and a 6.25% standard sales tax on all retail cannabis. Recreational marijuana dispensaries may also pay an optional local tax capped at 3% to the city or town where they are located. Another possible local tax levied on recreational marijuana businesses in Massachusetts is the community impact tax.

How to Save Money on the Cost of Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts

While Massachusetts has a marijuana equity program for helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in its cannabis program, it does not have a policy of offering lower-priced medical cannabis to any group of patients. However, patients registered in its medical cannabis program can save money on their prescriptions by growing their own supply of marijuana at home. Massachusetts allows registered patients to grow up to 12 flowering cannabis plants and 12 vegetative cannabis plants at home for their personal use.

Patients can also save money on the cost of medical marijuana by taking advantage of sales promotions at their local dispensaries. Most dispensaries run periodic sales events and have loyalty programs to reward regular patrons. A patient shopping at a dispensary that rarely offers discounts may shop at other dispensaries near them to compare prices and product selections for the best offers.

It is also possible to spend less on medical marijuana by buying in bulk rather than ordering smaller amounts. By buying up to the maximum amount allowed, you can save yourself frequent trips to the dispensary and enjoy the savings that come from bulk purchases. Switching to longer-lasting marijuana product forms, such as edibles, is another way to save money. For some conditions, such as insomnia and chronic pain, edibles may offer better relief than smokable cannabis.