Your Guide to 2021 Colorado Weed Prices  

As of 2020, Colorado is closer to a decade of recreational marijuana being legal than a modern preschooler is to third grade. While it’s been a ride, the laws governing cannabis sales in the state evolve every year. One of the factors that influence these legal changes? The average price of weed in Colorado. 

Colorado weed prices affect how much tax is collected. Legal weed prices also aid in reducing black market activity around cannabis, so long as they are low enough to prevent those selling it from being able to reliably turn a profit. 

That’s why we created this guide – to describe how much weed in Colorado is, how much it differs across the state and why. Let’s dive in.

Creating A Consumer Methodology for Determining The Price Of Weed in Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, in October 2020 the average price per pound of flower for growers to dispensaries was ~$1300. 

Put another way, growers on average charge dispensaries the following:

• $81.25 per ounce

• $10.15 per ⅛ ounce

• $2.88 per gram

Once dispensaries have received the flower, the price doubles or triples before reaching the buyer. This is the result of paying employees, renting property, buying equipment, and other business operation expenses. 

In order to create a methodology that captures the consumer-end price, we’ve added 200-300 percent to the AMR price the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division uses for taxation. 

The Result?

Average Price Per Ounce in Colorado for Recreational Consumers: ~ $160 - $240 

Average Price Per 1/8 Ounce in Colorado for Recreational Consumers: ~ $20 - $30

Average Price Per Gram in Colorado for Recreational Consumers: ~ $5.76 - $8.64

We will use these as benchmarks in the analysis below. 

Determining Colorado Weed Prices

Prices of cannabis in Colorado vary based on brand, region, current specials, and dozens of other factors.

Built within this is a feedback loop for the state and cannabis producers and dispensaries. 

Once every three months, the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division, known as Colorado MED, uses data from grower to manufacturer (like an edible producer) or seller (such as a dispensary) to determine an Average Market Rate (AMR). The AMR is the basis for taxes and is reviewed based on weight. 

In the chart below, available on the Colorado Department of Revenue website, you can see that growers of marijuana in Colorado, on average, charge ~$1,300 per pound in October 2020. This is up 30 percent from ~$1,000 in October 2019. This is important for later.

(Pulled from CO DOR 11/25/2020)

Why The Average Market Rate Matters

Roughly speaking, by the time cannabis gets to the consumer the price per pound is double or more than the AMR (average market rate). This is in part because manufacturers and dispensaries have to pay staff, labor, as well as equipment, and licensing. 

The other part? 

Colorado marijuana laws place limits on both recreational consumers and medical marijuana patients.

Consumers can’t easily go out and buy a pound since the law limits recreational to an ounce, or 1/16th of a pound.

In the decades where cannabis was illegal entirely when a police raid created headlines like “$1 Million in Marijuana Confiscated”, it was an average market rate that allowed this headline to make sense. Police would use average street prices to evaluate the worth of a quantity. This applies equally to legal markets. 

How Much Is Weed In Colorado? 

As of October 2020, Colorado MED pulls together purchase information from a total of 466 cultivators, 216 product manufacturers, and 416 medical or recreational stores as part of creating the AMR. When retail mark-up is added, our methodology will give us a standard price. 

To remind you, we are using the following as baseline pricing:

• Average Price Per Ounce for Recreational Consumers: ~ $160 - $240 

• Average Price Per 1/8 Ounce for Recreational Consumers: ~ $20 - $30

• Average Price Per Gram for Recreational Consumers: ~ $5.76 - $8.64

Now let’s test these price estimates on some cannabis dispensaries in Colorado: 

Botanico (Denver)

Strain: Crystal Gelato

Prices: $20 per 1/8th, $160 per ounce

Strain: Bazookies

Price: $140 per ounce

Check Out Botanico Cannabis Deals Here: 

• Botanico

• Botanico 2

Medicine Man (Longmont)

Strain: Cookies N’ Cream

Prices: $19 per 1/8th, $114 per ounce

Strain: G6 #3

Prices: $19 per 1/8th, $114 per ounce

Check Out Medicine Man Deals Here:

• Medicine Man Denver

• Medicine Man Longmont

• Medicine Man Aurora

• Medicine Man Thorton

Organix (Breckenridge)

Strain: GG #4

Price: $15 per gram, $32 per 1/8th, $155 per ounce

Check Out Organix Deals Here:

• Organix Breckenridge

The Lodge (RiNo Denver)

Strain: Sour Chunk

Price: $13 per gram, $32 per 1/8th, $150 per ounce

Check Out The Lodge Deals Here:

• The Lodge - Federal BLVD

• The Lodge - High Street

What Is The Average Price Per Gram In Colorado? 

The above pricing samples and our baseline costs tell us a few things about weed prices in Colorado. We estimated the average cost per gram, based on Colorado DOR data, to be between ~$6 to $9. However, from our sample, we can see that the average cost per gram is much more.

The average cost per gram of weed in Colorado is between $10-$15. 

This is likely because, as with most things, weed is cheaper when bought in bulk. 

What Is The Average Price Of An 1/8th In Colorado? 

We estimated based on available data from the state of Colorado the average price per 1/8th would be between $20 and $30 dollars. Botanico was on the lower end of our estimated range at $20 per 1/8th. Medicine Man was $19 per 1/8th or $1 less than the estimated low.

Both Organix and The Lodge dispensaries show up at the higher end of our estimated price range, but only by a little. Both have an average price per 1/8th of $32, or $2 more than our $30 high estimate. 

What Is The Average Price Of An Ounce In Colorado? 

The methodology for estimating Colorado weed prices we established actually overestimated the price per ounce on nearly every count. Our methodology puts the average price per ounce at between $160 and $240. 

Every dispensary fell at or below our benchmark of $160. Again, buying in bulk will always lower the price – with anything from soap to marijuana.

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Prices to Rise for Oregon Weed Buyers

by Melanie Marquis

Oregon weed smokers will soon be paying more for recreational cannabis. Beginning January 4^th, dispensaries will be required to collect a 25% tax on all recreational marijuana purchases. Recreational marijuana has been tax-free since the first retail sales began in October 2015, giving buyers a break on prices. On average, a gram of recreational flower sells for anywhere from $8 to $15 in Oregon, with quarter-ounces ranging from a low $25 to a high $150. Oregon state law limits recreational cannabis purchases to no more than a quarter-ounce in one day, so retailers are unable to offer discounts on larger quantities like buyers in Colorado enjoy. With the new taxes, what used to be an $8 gram will now cost $10, while a $60 quarter will jump up to $75. Considering that most moderate to heavy herb smokers go through substantially more than a quarter-ounce per week, that additional 25% tax per purchase could really add up.

Retail recreational marijuana sales in Oregon topped 11 million in the first month alone, so the new cannabis taxes will likely add millions to the state's annual income. The tax revenue will be split between state and local agencies, with the largest shares going to the Common School Fund and to Mental Health, Alcoholism, and Drug Services. 

Currently, recreational cannabis is sold only through medical dispensaries in Oregon, but new stand-alone recreational-only dispensaries are expected to open starting in October 2016. Sales at the new dispensaries will only be subjected to a 17% tax, with cities and counties having the option of imposing an additional 3% tax if they choose to do so.

Despite the increase in taxes and higher prices in the interim, the cost of recreational marijuana in Oregon may eventually decrease over the next few years as more dispensaries open and the market stabilizes. There is currently a lot of variation and fluctuation in Oregon cannabis prices, with dispensaries still struggling to find the right balance between costs, supply, and demand. 

What's certain is that at least until next October when the first recreational-only dispensaries open, you'll soon be paying a solid 25% more for your weed. If you're concerned about your bud budget, you might want to stock up on tax-free weed while you can, making as many purchases as the law allows between now and January 4^th. Also, be sure to check CannaSaver daily for money-saving coupons and special offers from your local cannabis retailers.

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Where to Buy Marijuana in Denver

by Melanie Marquis

If you want to know where to buy marijuana in Denver, whether medical marijuana or at recreational dispensaries, you've come to the right place. Many tourists from out of state come to Denver for the marijuana tourism, and they always ask the same questions: Where can I find the cheapest recreational dispensary in Denver and the best recreational dispensary in Denver and the closest dispensary. There are many Denver dispensaries, from recreational dispensaries to medical marijuana dispensaries.

How many weed stores are there in Denver? According to the pot guide, there are 11 recreational only weed stores in Denver and 71 medical marijuana dispensaries. You can find out where to buy marijuana in Denver on sites like weedmaps and leafly, too. To save you time and money, I've put together for you a list of the best dispensaries in Denver, not only the best weed shops near me that I consider my personal favorites, but also the medical marijuana and recreational dispensaries that continue to get the best reviews. I've also included some info on weed prices and popular strain information so you'll `know where to get the lowest priced marijuana in Denver, whether you're looking for an indica or a sativa. And don't forget to get your money-saving discount weed coupons from CannaSaver before you go! Here are my top picks for where to buy weed in Denver.

Best Dispensaries in Denver: Recreational dispensaries and medical marijuana

Livwell Broadway:

432 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

If you're looking for a convenient and affordable marijuana dispensary in Denver, Colorado, LivWell Broadway is one to check out. Located at Broadway and Alameda in a historical building that dates back all the way to the late nineteenth century, Livwell Broadway sells both recreational and medical marijuana.

If you have questions about a specific strain or need a recommendation of which bud to choose, the staff is friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They can tell you which strains are sativa dominant, which are indica dominant, which are best for pain relief, which are best for a “head high,” and more. If you're enjoying some travel in Colorado and aren't at all familiar with the different weed terms, the staff at Livwell Broadway will explain the basics. They're always happy to describe their buds as well as their weed prices, which vary according to the quality of the cannabis.

One of their usual and most popular marijuana specials is the $99.99 ounce of re. The “popcorn” nugs from the pre-weighs are a little smaller than you'd get with the higher-quality, higher-priced selections, but they're a great value and definitely potent. The higher-quality, larger buds are sold as “gold shelf” or “platinum shelf.” The gold shelf buds are larger, well-formed, and cured for a minimum of 12 to 14 days. These go for $30 an eighth for recreational, with an ounce selling for $175. The platinum shelf consists only of the choicest top buds from the very tips of the topmost colas, which are hang dried, cured for at least 14 to 20 days, and hand trimmed. The platinum shelf flower sells for $50 an eight or $350 for an ounce, but if you can afford it, it's worth it.

LivWell Broadway has a rotating selection of many indica, sativa, and hybrid strains including 303 Kush, a popular indica-dominant strain that's excellent for pain relief, and Tangerine Power, a sativa-dominant strain with a pleasant citrus scent. They also regularly carry Zeta Sage, Golden Goat, Banana Kush, El Diablo, Alien Inferno, Fortune Cookie, and more.

MMJ America Downtown:

2042 Arapahoe St.

Denver, Co 80205

MMJ America downtown is the closest dispensary to Coor's Field, and they are also one of the best dispensaries in Denver that sells both recreational and medical marijuana. Their buds that they engineer at The Vault Genetics have won many awards, including a 1^st place win for indica and indica hybrid, 2^nd place wins for CDB flower, CDB concentrate, hybrid concentrate, and non-solvent hash,  and a 3^rd place win for best sativa flower at the 2016 Cannabis Cup competition. The MMJ America downtown location is one of the most convenient Denver dispensaries to visit if you're traveling to Denver and you need to buy marijuana downtown.

Medicine Man Denver:

4750 Nome St.

Denver, CO

Medicine Man Denver features a large selection of marijuana, concentrates, tinctures, edibles, pipes, and other products. They have a huge facility where they grow many different strains of recreational and medical marijuana. If you're at DIA, the Denver International Airport, Medicine Man Denver might be the closest dispensary that is both a recreational marijuana dispensary and a medical marijuana dispensary. They have good weed prices, with daily specials every day of the week such as the $25 Top Shelf eighths they have on Thursdays, or Monday's BOGO on edibles special.

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