As cannabis legalization spreads and the cost of living increases, people are exploring the option of growing weed in New Jersey at home.
If you live in New Jersey and regularly enjoy cannabis, you might wonder how much you could save by cultivating your own plants instead of buying from dispensaries.
Since it remains a felony, a coalition of medical cannabis patients and independent licensed cannabis business owners, along with underground legacy operators, have been advocating to the legislature and Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22) of Union County to support it.
So, while illegal, it is possible if you don’t get caught.
What is the Average Cost of Weed from a Dispensary?
The average cost of weed from a New Jersey dispensary varies depending on the *quality. For a top-shelf bud, you’ll pay around $70 for an eighth of an ounce or 3.5 grams. For mid-grade bud, the cost drops to about $40.*
How Much Does it Cost to Grow Weed in New Jersey at Home?
Growing your own weed at home involves some initial setup costs as well as ongoing expenses. Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs you can expect:
- Lighting: Quality grow lights are essential for indoor growing. When comparing LED and HID lights, LED lights are more efficient and cooler, costing between $150 and $600 depending on size and power.
- Pots: You need durable pots for your plants. These usually cost between $20 and $50.
- Tents: Grow tents create a controlled environment for your plants, with prices ranging from $100 to $300.
- Fans: Proper air circulation is crucial. Fans can cost anywhere from $30 to $100.
- Extraction: Extraction systems help manage odors and ensure fresh air circulation. They typically cost between $100 and $250.
- Nutrients: Plants need nutrients to thrive. A good nutrient kit can cost between $50 and $150.
- Soil: Quality soil is important for healthy plants. Expect to spend $20 to $50.
- Electricity: Running the lights, fans, and other equipment will add to your monthly electricity bill, costing around $50 to $100.
So, the initial setup might cost you between $470 and $1,500, with ongoing monthly costs primarily for electricity. This investment can quickly pay off, especially when compared to the cost of buying weed from a dispensary.
How Much Weed Can You Get From the Average Plant?
From the average plant, you can expect to harvest around 300 grams of weed. This assumes you are using a 600-watt grow light, which can produce about 0.5 grams of weed per watt of power.
The amount of bud you can harvest from a single plant will vary massively depending on whether you are growing indoors or outdoors, the grow lights you use, the nutrients, and which strain you decide to grow. Strains such as Big Bud have been bred specifically with size in mind, whereas the higher THC varieties such as Godfather OG won’t yield quite as much.*
How Much Do Cannabis Seeds Cost?
Cannabis seeds can vary massively in price depending on the brand you go for. For instance, at 420 Cannabis Seed Bank, Original Granddaddy Purple seeds cost $130 for a pack of 5 seeds. On the other hand, more affordable options like Critical Orange Punch are available for as little as $26.65. On average, you can expect to pay around $40 for a pack of 5 seeds.
Given this average cost and considering each plant can yield about 300 grams of bud, a $40 pack of seeds can potentially produce up to 1500 grams of cannabis.
Growing Weed Indoors vs Outdoors
Growing weed in New Jersey indoors offers control and consistency. But it comes with higher costs. You need to invest in lighting, tents, extraction systems, fans, and other equipment to create an optimal growing environment. These initial costs can range from $470 to $1,500, with ongoing monthly expenses primarily for electricity. However, an indoor controlled environment helps you grow high-quality plants regardless of external weather conditions.
Growing weed outdoors, on the other hand, can be significantly cheaper since you don’t need expensive lighting, tents, or extraction systems. The sun provides natural light, and proper outdoor conditions can eliminate the need for fans and other indoor-specific equipment.
However, outdoor growing weed in New Jersey is highly dependent on the climate. Not all locations are suitable due to temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. You must ensure that your local climate can support cannabis growth throughout the season. In Jersey, you might need something like a greenhouse.
If you live in a suitable climate for outdoor growing, costs can be minimal. With just soil, nutrients, and seeds, you can start growing for as little as $100. This minimal investment can still yield a substantial amount of weed, making outdoor growing an attractive option for those in favorable climates.
Cost Comparison: Dispensary vs Home Grown
Average Usage:
- 1 joint: ~0.5 grams
- 1-2 joints per day: ~0.5 to 1 gram per day
- Monthly usage: 15 to 30 grams
Monthly Cost at Dispensary:
- Top-shelf bud: $70 per eighth (3.5 grams) = $20 per gram
- Mid-grade bud: $40 per eighth (3.5 grams) = $11.43 per gram
Monthly Expenditure:
- Top-shelf: 15 grams x $20 = $300 to 30 grams x $20 = $600
- Mid-grade: 15 grams x $11.43 = $171.45 to 30 grams x $11.43 = $342.90
Home Growing Costs
Initial Setup Costs:
| Item | Cost Range |
| Lighting | $150 – $600 |
| Pots | $20 – $50 |
| Tents | $100 – $300 |
| Fans | $30 – $100 |
| Extraction | $100 – $250 |
| Nutrients | $50 – $150 |
| Soil | $20 – $50 |
| Seeds (per 5 pack) | $40 |
| Total Initial Setup Cost | $470 – $1,500 |
Monthly Running Cost:
- Electricity: $50 – $100
Annual Yield:
- One plant with a 600w light: 300 grams
- With an average cost of $40 for 5 seeds, potentially yielding 1500 grams (5 plants).
Detailed Monthly Cost Comparison
Year 1 (Including Setup Costs) Home Growing:
- Initial Setup Cost Spread Over 12 Months:
- Low-end setup: $470 / 12 = $39.17 per month
- High-end setup: $1,500 / 12 = $125 per month
- Monthly Running Cost:
- $50 – $100 for electricity
- Total Monthly Cost in Year 1:
- Low-end: $39.17 (setup) + $50 (electricity) = $89.17 to $39.17 + $100 = $139.17
- High-end: $125 (setup) + $50 (electricity) = $175 to $125 + $100 = $225
Year 2 Onwards (Without Setup Costs) Home Growing:
- Monthly Running Cost: $50 – $100 for electricity
Total Monthly Cost in Year 2 Onwards:
- $50 to $100
Savings Calculation
Year 1:
Dispensary Cost for Top-Shelf Weed:
- $300 to $600 per month
Home Growing Cost:
- Low-end setup: $89.17 to $139.17 per month
- High-end setup: $175 to $225 per month
Savings:
- Low-end setup: $300 – $89.17 = $210.83 to $600 – $139.17 = $460.83 per month
- High-end setup: $300 – $175 = $125 to $600 – $225 = $375 per month
Year 2 Onwards:
Dispensary Cost for Top-Shelf Weed:
- $300 to $600 per month
Home Growing Cost:
- $50 to $100 per month
Savings:
- $300 – $50 = $250 to $600 – $100 = $500 per month
By growing your own weed at home, you could save significantly compared to
buying from a dispensary. In the first year, even with the initial setup costs, you can save between $125 to $460.83 per month. From the second year onwards, when only considering running costs, you can save $250 to $500 per month.
Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/plant-hemp-cannabis-leaves-botany-6576153/
