How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost in Alaska?

How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost in Alaska?

Qualified patients in Alaska will find that medical marijuana prices vary significantly across dispensaries in the state. The dispensary cost of medical cannabis is determined by a number of factors including location as well as the marijuana quality, strain, and product type. Patients can expect to pay $300 on average for each ounce of medical marijuana. However, the cost of high quality cannabis can be as high as $400 for the same amount in some Alaska dispensaries.

Can You Use a Credit Card at a Dispensary in Alaska?

No. Medical cannabis dispensaries in Alaska do not accept credit card payments for orders. This is because banks and credit card companies often refuse to process marijuana transactions due to the ban on cannabis at the federal level. Patients registered in the Alaska medical marijuana program can pay for their orders with cash and debit cards.

Does Alaska Tax Medical Marijuana Sales?

No. Alaska does not have a sales tax or excise tax for medical marijuana.

Does Recreational Marijuana Cost More than Medical Marijuana in Alaska?

Alaska taxes recreational marijuana when it is transferred from licensed cultivators to licensed retail stores or production facilities. The state taxes recreational marijuana by weight and plant parts. For example, the tax on mature buds and flowers is $50 per ounce while immature buds are taxed at $25 per ounce. In addition, the state allows municipalities to levy excise tax on recreational marijuana sales. These taxes would likely make the price of adult-use cannabis higher than that of medical cannabis in Alaska.

How to Save Money on the Cost of Medical Marijuana in Alaska

Alaska does not have any state-level discount policy for any group of patients registered in its medical marijuana program. However, qualified patients can still save money at the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries. Dispensaries in the state regularly offer discounts and sales on medical marijuana products. Some of them also have loyalty programs to reward repeat customers with exclusive offers.

Besides dispensary promotions, patients can also save money on the cost of medical marijuana in Alaska by lowering their doses of cannabis. For some patients, lower doses may provide the same relief as their regular doses of medical marijuana. It is also possible to save money by switching to edibles. Edibles produce longer lasting effects than smoked or vaped weed and can help some patients lower their medical cannabis dosages. Another way to spend less on medical cannabis is to buy in bulk, up to the allowable maximum amount in Alaska. By buying your monthly supply rather than daily or weekly supply, you may likely enjoy some savings on your medical cannabis spending. Yet another way to save on medical cannabis costs is to shop around different dispensaries near you. You may likely find the same or similar medical marijuana products offered at lower prices at dispensaries other than the one you frequent.