Herb Dispensary Deals: How to Compare Prices and Discounts

Read the out-the-door price first

Menu prices are not the price you pay. Most states add excise tax and sales tax at checkout. Washington charges a 37% excise tax on retail cannabis. California charges 15% excise plus sales tax. Oregon charges 17% on recreational sales and exempts medical sales. A $40 eighth in Washington costs about $55 before local sales tax.

Ask for the total before you pay. Delivery adds a fee, a minimum order, and sometimes a tip line. Minimums run $30 to $50 at many shops.

Compare THC per dollar, not gram price

Two eighths at $40 can differ by 10 percentage points of THC. Divide total milligrams by price. A 3.5 g eighth at 20% THC holds about 700 mg of THC. At 28% it holds about 980 mg. Same price, 40% more THC.

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Weight, moisture, and trim also affect value. Look at the package date and harvest date. Flower cured for 60 days and sold within 3 months holds terpenes better than a jar from last year.

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Discount types and their terms

First-time customer discount: 10% to 20% off one visit at many shops.
Loyalty points: 1% to 10% back in store credit. Points expire. Read the cap and the expiration window.
Daily and weekly specials: a set category on a set day, such as flower on Monday.
Bulk pricing: 7 g, 14 g, and 28 g tiers lower the per-gram price. Confirm that the tier applies to one strain, not mixed packs.
Veteran, senior, and medical card discounts: 10% to 25%. Most shops do not stack discounts.

Parameters to check before you buy

Out-the-door price with tax and delivery fee.
THC milligrams per dollar.
Package date, harvest date, and expiration date.
Discount stacking rules and exclusions.
Loyalty point value, cap, and expiration.
Return policy. Most cannabis sales are final.

Pitfalls

Percent-off signs that cover full-price items. Sale items are often excluded.
Buy-one-get-one offers on a low-priced category.
Points that expire in 30 to 90 days.
Delivery minimums that push your order past your budget.
Tax quoted at the register, not on the menu.

Deal terms differ by state, county, and shop. Confirm the terms with the dispensary before you order. No federal law covers retail cannabis, so state regulators set the tax and discount rules.