Three glass jars filled with green cannabis buds on a white table, with a small plastic bag of buds nearby.

Is Growing Cannabis Cheaper Than Buying Weed at the Dispensary?

Without beating around the (weed) bush… Yes! Growing your own cannabis at home can certainly be cheaper than regular trips to the dispensary. And that's not even considering the gas spent on driving there every time. When growing, especially indoors, you have to consider initial costs, but once you're up and running, it pays for itself quickly, and you may find that saving cash wasn't the only reward to be found in your home grow!

Roach - Author ILGM

Roach

Cultivation Specialist

Imagine skipping that stressful dispensary run before close, or waiting for an unreliable delivery, and instead opening your closet to shelves filled with your fresh, delicious, homegrown favorite strains, grown exactly the way you like.

Sounds good, right? Well, read on and we’ll show you how that can become a reality.

What You Need To Start Growing Weed Now

Starting from scratch is actually easier than you might think. There are a few things you need to start growing cannabis at home. But, if you've got a sunny spot outside, you can grow cannabis outdoors and rely on solar energy to do the heavy lifting, free of charge!. Indoor growers, on the other hand, will require a bit more to start their grow room, but either option has its pros and cons. There’s no better time than spring to start your first cannabis home grow.

Young cannabis plant in a fabric pot outdoors, surrounded by soil and a plastic-covered structure.

Here's what you're going to need to get started: 

  • Seeds (pretty much the key ingredient here) 

  • A place for your cannabis (either a sunny spot in your garden or a grow tent if you plan to grow indoors. 

  • Light (Sunlight is free, while LEDs are energy efficient and popular for indoor grows)

  • A Good soil mix, easily accessible water, and nutrients (a good reason to start a compost heap  or check out our pre-mixed fertilizer packs)

  • Wind/ventilation (indoor grows require good airflow, so a small fan and extraction setup are needed) 

As with any investment, there's going to be some upfront costs, especially if you opt for indoor growing. A small indoor setup could set you back around $300-$500, and electricity can fall in the range of $20-$50 extra per month. Compare that to your annual weed bill and you may find that it's a small price to pay. 

On the other hand, growing outside is almost completely free. As long as the weather cooperates and you have a sunny spot to let it do its thing. 

Cannabis Home Growing: More than the Yield

Person wearing blue gloves holding a large cluster of cannabis buds outdoors, with patio tiles and garden items in the background.

Even as a first-timer, you can expect to harvest around 4-8 ounces per plant, once you've gotten the hang of the basics. That's already enough to fill a couple of big jars. And as time goes by and you master the fundamentals, the yield will only get better. Growing is like any other skill – the more you put into it, the more you'll get out

But here's where it gets deeper: eventually, you realize that it's not just about growing weed. There's something special about watching your cannabis plants start from a seed, then grow, stretch, and bloom, along with the self-pride of knowing “I grew this”. This simple act of planting a seed evolves into an interpersonal relationship that you just can't buy at a dispensary. 

I know, growing weed sounds quite magical, doesn't it?  Although, before you run out and start putting seeds in the ground, be sure to check your local laws. It's not legal in all U.S. states to grow cannabis at home. 

Price Comparison: Buying Weed vs Growing Your Own 

Most people will ask, “How much does it cost to grow cannabis?”. The real question is: Is it possible to save money growing cannabis at home? Let's do the math: 

  • Dispensary price per ounce: $150–$300 (depending on location)

  • Homegrown cost per ounce: ~$25–$50 (after setup is done)

Indoor cannabis plants with dense foliage under two small fans in a reflective grow tent.

If you harvest 8 ounces from just 1 plant, you could save over $1000 compared to buying the same amount from a dispensary. Multiply that over a couple of harvests per year, and Boom! - That's a lot of extra green in your wallet. 

If you go with an indoor setup, you could break even after the first couple grows. After that, you're pretty much getting weed for free. So, as far as homegrown cannabis vs dispensary cost, it's no contest. 

Nothing Beats Getting High On Your Own Supply 

Jars filled with dried herbs are stacked against a wall. A blue bowl holds plastic bags of similar dried herbs on a wooden surface.

If you've ever had the pleasure of growing your own food, then you know the rewarding feeling you get at harvest time. The fruits of our labour are a physical and proportional representation of how much effort (and care) we put into cultivating them. Sure, you can always buy weed, but enjoying your own home-grown is a whole other vibe: Growing your own weed offers more than just savings:

  • Pick what strains to cultivate to suit your needs

  • Nurture it from seed to bud: it's a journey that adds to the destination

  • Interact more with Nature

  • Know what and how you grew it (No surprise nasties)

  • Freshness, no stale weed

  • It's a hobby! Join a community of global growers

  • Share it out! (Weed is the best gift, isn’t it?)

Grow Closer: Working Together with Cannabis

So, is growing cannabis cheaper than buying? 

Most definitely, growing your own cannabis can save you a ton of money. But it's more than just that. It teaches patience, confidence, and self-reliance. It allows us to get our hands in the soil and reconnect with the earth, even for a season. And maybe it's the rebel in me, but there's something beautifully wholesome about disconnecting weed from your bank account. It becomes less of a product and more of a passion.

In the beginning, expect to make a couple of mistakes (we all did, it's part of the process), but every slip is a lesson in better footing. It's not always fields of green and butterflies, but I can assure you it’s worth every slip. 

And you're not in it alone–we’re here to help guide you every step of the way.

So, are you ready to get your hands dirty?  

The Bill? Save Green on your Green by Growing at Home

Bottom line? Stop letting high-priced dispensaries abuse your wallet. Stop buying, start growing, and discover how rewarding this journey can be. 

But before you even get started, please make sure to check your local laws first for any restrictions. 

Happy Growing! 

Roach - Author ILGM

Roach

Roach, a 20+ year cannabis enthusiast, activist & storyteller, blends humor, art & expertise—crafting words, strains & macabre masterpieces.

Meet the author