In many legal markets, legal weed prices are technically going down. Wholesale costs have fallen, dispensary menus look more competitive, and deals are easier to find than they were a few years ago.
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So why does buying cannabis still feel expensive for the consumer? The answer has less to do with the price of cannabis itself and more to do with how we are experiencing cost as a nation.
The price you see isn’t the price you pay
One of the biggest reasons weed feels pricey is because of what happens at checkout. In legal states, cannabis is often taxed more heavily than alcohol or tobacco, with state excise taxes, local taxes, and regulatory fees stacked on top of the base price.
That means a product that looks reasonably priced on the menu can jump noticeably once everything is added up. Even if the flower itself is cheaper than it used to be, the final total can still feel steep.
Because these costs are broken out line by line, they’re also more visible. You’re not just paying for weed. You’re paying for compliance, licensing, testing, and regulation, all at once.
Shrinking value, not just shrinking prices
Another factor to consider is value perception.
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Eighths still cost around what they did a few years ago, but the experience around them has changed. Packaging has become more standardized. Pre-rolls are slimmer. Edibles come in smaller packages with tighter dosing. Vape cartridges don’t always last as long as people expect.
Even when prices fall, smaller quantities and shorter-lasting products can make cannabis feel like it is offering less for the money. It’s not always shrinkflation in the classic sense, but it taps into the same frustration for consumers.
Inflation changes the way we notice spending
Inflation doesn’t just affect prices. It affects human psychology.
When rent, groceries, and gas all cost more, those “miscellaneous” purchases stand out more sharply. Cannabis shifts from feeling like a casual expense to something you actively consider, even if the price hasn’t changed much. And this is a lot more harrowing for medical patients.
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Research shows people tend to notice losses more than gains. So gradual price drops don’t register as strongly as sudden fees or taxes. One extra charge at checkout can outweigh months of slow declines in shelf prices.
Legal weed comes with expectations
Legal cannabis also carries emotional weight. Consumers expect consistency, safety, and transparency, which are real improvements over the past. But those expectations also make cannabis feel more like a premium product than a casual indulgence.
In contrast, unregulated markets often feel cheaper because the costs are hidden or deferred, even if the risks are higher. Legal weed asks you to pay upfront, and to notice it.
Why it feels the way it does
Weed feels more expensive, not because prices never drop, but because the entire context around buying it has changed.
Between visible taxes, shrinking perceived value, and inflation reshaping how we think about money, cannabis now lives in a different mental category. It’s not just about what weed costs: it’s about how we experience the cost.