How Much Is an Ounce of Weed?

Price Difference Between Medical and Recreational Marijuana

Weed prices can vary, but one fact stands out: medical marijuana almost always costs less than recreational.

The reason is simple. Patients usually pay standard sales tax or no tax at all. Meanwhile, recreational buyers face excise taxes that drive prices higher, like in these examples:

• Illinois: Recreational buyers pay over 30% in taxes, while medical patients pay only 1%.
• New York: Recreational cannabis is taxed at more than 20%, while medical marijuana carries a small 3% fee (often waived by dispensaries).
• Maryland and Minnesota: Medical cannabis is completely tax-free, while recreational weed comes with 9–10% added costs.

On average, recreational marijuana is 20% to 30% more expensive than medical cannabis after taxes. Over time, this price gap makes a difference. Patients who stick with medical marijuana can save hundreds of dollars each year.

Interested in knowing the price difference between medical and recreational cannabis in your state? Use our savings calculator below to see your potential savings.

With Quick Med Cards, getting your medical card is simple, affordable, and the fastest way to cut your cannabis costs.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Marijuana

Taxes are one of the biggest reasons weed prices vary so much between medical and recreational markets, as we covered above. Taxes aren’t the only factor, though. Several other elements play a significant role in how much you’ll pay for an ounce of weed.

Quality of the Flower

Quality is a notable factor influencing the price of weed. Dispensaries often divide flower into categories such as top-shelf (premium), mid-grade, and budget strains, each with its own cost drivers, for instance:

• Cultivation method: Indoor-grown cannabis costs more due to controlled environments producing consistent, potent buds. Outdoor-grown cannabis costs less but varies more in quality.
• Potency and cannabinoid content: High-THC strains and balanced CBD varieties command premium prices. Lab-tested potency and reliable effects justify the higher costs.
• Appearance and trim quality: Hand-trimmed buds with dense trichomes and rich aroma sell at top prices, while shake runs $80–$120 per ounce but with less potency.
• Branding and reputation: Craft cannabis from renowned growers pushes the average cost of an ounce of weed above $350 through reputation and consistency.

Quality matters. Whether you’re after budget flower or top-shelf strains, it’s one of the leading factors that determines the final price of an ounce. With a medical marijuana card, you not only access better weed at lower taxes but can also choose the quality that best fits your needs.

Dispensary vs Street Prices

The source of cannabis also plays a role in cost. Dispensaries usually sell marijuana at a higher price than its street value. Still, that price gap is more than just a convenience fee, for example:

• Testing and safety: Dispensaries charge more because products are lab-tested for potency, pesticides, mold, and contaminants. Street cannabis offers no such guarantee.
• Product transparency: Legal shops label THC/CBD percentages and terpene profiles, helping buyers pick strains for specific effects. Street sellers rarely provide this clarity.
• Risk and legality: Street weed may be cheaper, but it comes with legal risks and no protections. Licensed dispensaries give peace of mind with safe, regulated products.

The average price of weed at a dispensary can be $50–$100 more per ounce compared to its street value. In California, for example, legal cannabis can cost 30–50% more than black-market weed due to taxes and compliance fees.

Still, dispensaries provide consistency, safety, and legal protection that the street cannot match. For medical patients, the higher price is often worth it.

Moreover, with a medical marijuana card, you can lower those dispensary costs through tax breaks and patient discounts, making safe cannabis more affordable.

Supply and Demand

Just like any product, weed prices depend on supply. Here’s how different state policies affect what you pay:

• Established markets: States like California and Oregon have many growers and dispensaries. Strong supply keeps prices lower.
• Limited licensing: States like New York or Pennsylvania restrict suppliers. Fewer dispensaries mean higher prices for buyers.
• Market shifts: Early on, dispensaries could charge almost anything because competition was scarce. Today, oversupply has flipped the market, driving down prices in many states.

As more cannabis enters the system, dispensaries compete harder, and costs drop for consumers. However, in states where licenses are hard to get, prices remain high.

Why Does Medical Marijuana Cost Less?

Your medical marijuana card offers several cost benefits, for example:

• Exemption from high recreational taxes.
• Access to dispensary discounts and patient programs.
• The ability to purchase higher daily or monthly limits.

Additional Benefits of Having a Medical Card

A medical marijuana card does more than save you money. It also unlocks benefits that recreational users don’t enjoy, for example:

• Access to high-quality cannabis products with greater potency.
• Enhanced legal protections, including workplace safeguards.
• Continuous care by healthcare professionals experienced in cannabis treatment.
• Minors and adults under 21 can enjoy the health benefits of medical marijuana.
• Coverage in states that accept out-of-state cards.

With these advantages, what other reasons would you need to get a medical marijuana card?

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card

Getting a medical marijuana card is straightforward, especially with Quick Med Cards. The exact process varies by state, but here’s what to expect:

1. Fill out your medical information and set up your Quick Med Cards profile.
2. Book an appointment that fits your schedule.
3. Meet with a cannabis doctor via telehealth or in-person consultation.
4. Receive your cannabis recommendation if you meet the requirements.
5. Submit your medical card application to your state’s cannabis registry.
6. Buy MMJ from dispensaries once your card arrives.

Ready to start saving? Medical cardholders save 20-30% compared to regular customers due to tax breaks and discounts.

So, how much is an ounce of weed? The answer depends on whether you have a medical card. With the savings it provides, your card pays for itself quickly. Why keep overpaying when you could be saving hundreds each year? Get certified today with Quick Med Cards and put those savings back in your pocket.

Key Takeaways

• The average price of an ounce of weed is around $320 nationwide in 2025.
• Prices vary dramatically by state, from $210 in Oregon to $590 in Washington, D.C.
• An ounce of weed weighs 28 grams and is often called a zip in cannabis slang.
• Medical marijuana costs 20-30% less than recreational cannabis due to lower taxes.
• Street prices are lower than dispensary prices, but dispensaries provide lab-tested, safe cannabis with clear labels.
• Besides savings, medical marijuana cards offer benefits like access to higher potency products and legal protections.
• Getting a medical marijuana card typically pays for itself within the first few purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about weed measurements and prices in America.