Medical marijuana has been legal in several states for decades, but it was just the other day when 19 states legalized it for recreational use. This move was meant to reduce the amount of product available on the streets so that users can now rely on weed dispensaries in Sacramento that are licensed by the state. Street weed is, in most cases, cheaper than the dispensary stuff because it is untaxed, and sellers don’t have to go through the long legalization process. Is the product of the same quality? 

Well, it depends on who you ask, but most users say the product is the same. The strains are the same and could have been grown in similar conditions, and the genetics are all the same. That said, some things could be a little different, so users may notice something with the various types. 

Which is Better? 

What is street marijuana? It is the same weed you know, but the sellers are unlicensed people operating in the shadows. Even with recreational and medical weed legalization, some people still sell it in the streets because they may not have the funding and licenses needed to open regulated dispensaries. They may also want to evade the tax that goes to the city and state, and the best way to do this is by hiding from the authorities. 

Usually, you are only allowed to carry an ounce of the product unless you are a licensed dealer, which says street dealers could easily be in violation of the code of ethics governing distribution when they supply without the required licenses. One wouldn’t want to get caught while buying from them, would they? 

That said, the weed on the streets is mainly of the same quality as that sold at dispensaries, but it is cheaper as the price doesn’t incorporate the expenses that go into the regulated product – housing, labor, and taxes. If your dealer knows as much about strains as a budtender, they will get you the strains you need, but you want to remember the demand and ease of getting the merchandise will determine the price.

So, to answer the question clearly, street weed is not inferior to the legal stuff, especially in states and countries that have legalized its use. The licenses, associated costs of running the legal business, and taxes push some good dealers from selling their merch in the legal market. 

Some people buy street weed for the thrill because they still want to feel like they are breaking the laws. Matter of fact, sales in California for 2019 were in excess of $3 billion while the street stuff sold for more than $8 billion in the same period. The high number of farmers in the states keeps the street dealers, and legal businesses sufficiently covered to ensure that both can sell the highest quality of weed.  

Why Dispensary Weed Could be Better than Street Weed

Here are some reasons you may be better off with the licensed stuff than the street kind. 

Safety

The state has strict regulations on how dispensaries work, so they are keen on the product they use. They will track the product from the farms to the shops to ensure users get the best product on the market. A dealer’s motivation is in sales, and the state does not regulate them, so they don’t really have to ensure the product quality matters as much as it would at dispensaries. Since licensed dealers are able to track the process for seed-to-sale quality assurance, they can tell whether the farmers use pesticides or follow procedures that give the user the best product.  

Variety

Dealers will usually sell what’s available on the market, which mostly isn’t varied. They may also not focus too much on THC and CBD percentages, so you will not know if what you buy is ideal for your conditions or requirements. The state-regulated dispensaries follow audit procedures that ensure the right amount of THC per edible, and they will carry as many strains as possible as they are directly in talks with farmers. 

Accurate Information 

You have budtenders at the dispensary to explain the suitable strains and how they interact with your body, which may not be the case with your trusty street dealer. When you buy from unlicensed sellers, the deal takes place where the authorities cannot reach you, so there is not enough time to decide what works best for your needs. 

Availability

A street dealer will give you what they have in the stores, so it is up to you to stock up as you do not know when they run out. You may need to have more than one dealer at a time to ensure you don’t run out. That isn’t the case for regulated sellers who always have inventory and are connected to the supply chain. Thanks to this, you can always have the freshest weed just recently harvested whenever you want. 

Conclusion

Fact: the street product you buy may be cheaper, but it is not regulated by the right markets, and it could fall into the wrong hands. Most dealers will not usually go to lengths to check the IDs of their buyers, which is how they end up selling to younger kids. The prices will also depend on supply, which puts the market at risk of being unreliable. So, if the product is the same or a little more superior than what you get on the streets, it would be better to get it from licensed dealers.