Recreational Marijuana Prices in Colorado. (Denver, Boulder: sales, 2014, crime)

[westcoastforme]

I am trying to find out how much Legal recreational marijuana is being sold for in Colorado as of now compared to eight to ten months ago. When retail sales first started in January of 2014 the prices were high due to high demand and a low supply. I believe I saw 75 dollars for an eighth of an ounce of high grade marijuana, which is higher than the black market price.

In the Chicago land area an eighth of an ounce of high grade goes for about 55-60 dollars on the black market. What was the black market price of an eighth in CO before legalization? What is the black market price of an eighth now?

I have read a few article about how CO realized that they must eventually lower the prices to further make the black market almost non-existent. I am wondering how that is all going recently. Thanks.

[todd00]

This article isn't specifically speaking of Colorado, but basically asks the questions you ask. Read the comment section too for other folks opinions.

What Price Do You Want Legal Marijuana to Sell for? | Just Say Now

[Mach50]

I've seen 1/8 for $40 bottom shelf Indica. Top shelf will be $100.

Make sure to check Westworld magazine for specials, Livwell had 1/8 for $13 two weeks ago.

[westcoastforme]

This is not for personal use, more of a research project..

100 bucks for an 1/8th?? Why wouldnt someone just buy from an illegal source for cheaper?

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by westcoastforme

This is not for personal use, more of a research project..

100 bucks for an 1/8th?? Why wouldnt someone just buy from an illegal source for cheaper?

That is the highest grade for 100 like sipping a good scotch.

Some people will pay a surcharge for the legal process with standards and no shady dealings.

[Scott5280]

Although Chicago is a huge city it has never been the KIND capital like Colorado. Colorado has always had the best bud. People act like heavy MJ use in this state was some kind of recent fluke. All you Colorado natives know exactly what I am saying . Even in the mid 1980's when I was in high school mj use was everywhere and casual and quality was always top tier. Legalization in Colorado was just an eventual, logical result. Remember Boulder is in Colorado.

[timothyjames14]

I have found prices with tax to still be less than what I have paid in Tampa or Gatlinburg.

The smoke just isnt as good.

[westcoastforme]

I thought one of the reasons for legalization was to get rid of the black market?

[robertgoodman]

It's a little more complicated then just the Rec market since our medicinal market is easy to enter for CO residents. Doing a price comparison is also complicated by the quality rapidly evolving. I think looking at the price of a specific indica strain that has been around for a decade and is in multiple markets is a bit better for this sort of comparison.

Blueberry Strain 1/8 2004
Black Market Price: $50
Medicinal Dispensary: Technically legal but did not really exist yet because no one knew A20 had a loophole that allowed them.
Recreational: N/A

Blueberry 1/8 2009 (Note: not 100% confident in these prices was not an active smoker by this time, but a close friend of mine was a grower so I would get market info from him since I was curious about the growing medicinal market)
Black Market Price: $30-35
Medicinal Dispensary: $35-40
Recreational: N/A

Blueberry 1/8 2014 January
Black Market Price: $25-30
Medicinal Dispensary: $30 -$35
Recreational: $65

Blueberry 1/8 2014 November
Black Market Price: $20-25
Medicinal Dispensary: $25-35
Recreational : $35-45 (NOTE: in Denver where recreational is widespread)

From what I have observed over the years with medicinal and now rec is that the black market price is always going to be lower because it can really only compete over the long run on price. The lower the rec and medicinal markets make that black market price the less people willing to risk selling in it for such small margins, and the black market shrinks. It will likely never disappear but it should shrink to obscurity (like moonshine and cigarette smugglers) as downward price pressure continues from the other legal markets.

[UKWildcat1981]

Netherlands and especially Amsterdam is lights years ahead of the US when it comes to drugs and they have 1000000 times less crime. I was amazed at little crime they had and almost every drug is legal in Holland.