Pubdate: Thu, 22 May 2014
Source: Westword (Denver, CO)
Copyright: 2014 Village Voice Media
Website: http://www.westword.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1616
Author: William Breathes

WHY DOES ORGANIC POT COST THE SAME AS THE CHEMY STUFF?

Hey Stoner: Why does organically grown MJ cost the same as the chemy
stuff? Why do buds that take longer (like 112 days) to grow, cost the
same as a strain that only takes 50 days? Why does a strain that
produces a small harvest cost the same as a big common-yielder costs?
Does everyone just grow for weight?

Heady McPatch

Dear Heady: I've actually found that the places growing quality
organic herb are usually about 10 percent more expensive than shops
that are pumping out the fertilizer-laden hydro systems. But I've
also seen the price on organic-grow mediums and nutrients come down
over the last few years - and these shops buy and grow in bulk, which
keeps their pricing down. A lot has to do with competition. There are
hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries out there vying for your
business, and they have to keep their prices down to compete with one
another (as well as the non-taxed herb being sold through
caregivers). That also goes for the long-flowering strains versus the
short-flowering strains. Yes, shops could sell their 112-day sativas
for more money than their eight-week-flowering strains (and there are
a few shops that still do this), but the slightly increased cost of
the longer-flowering buds comes out in the wash when they are selling
other strains at the same price that were cheaper to produce. It's
one benefit of growing in bulk - which answers your final question:
Yes, almost every dispensary is growing the majority of their crops
for weight. A few dedicate smaller grows to "top shelf" buds, but for
the most part, they're trying to maximize everything they can to keep
their profit margins high. But the same goes for any other commercial
industry. That said, my caregiver never charged me more for Super
Silver Haze than he did an eight-week kush - and if a private grower
can manage to do that, I see no reason why dispensaries shouldn't be
able to, also.

Dear Stoner: What is your favorite medical dispensary in Denver?

Cole Fax

Dear Cole: I don't want to name a single place - partly because I
shop at different spots for different needs. But I do shop at a few
dispensaries I've reviewed in the past when I want some variety or
don't have time to meet up with my caregiver, including Kindman,
Trenchtown, Elevate, the Clinic, LoDo Wellness, Trill Alternatives
(in Boulder), Natural Remedies, the Health Center, Denver Relief and
Denver Kush Club. And I'm always hoping to add a new one to that
list. You can read all of our medical marijuana dispensary reviews at
blogs.westword.com/latestword/mile_highs_and_lows.
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MAP posted-by: Matt