October 30, 2014 – Despite legalization the black market for marijuana still exists in Colorado. According to websites like Price Of Weed, black market marijuana can be obtained (illegally) for about 30% less than in recreational marijuana stores in Colorado. This is because marijuana stores have the added burden of a rent, employees, taxes, licensing and regulations, packaging etc. Visitors coming to Colorado from other states seem eager to pay the premium prices being charged at marijuana shops anyway but locals who may have contacts within the black market from before cannabis was legalized are complaining. For this reason, at least one recreational marijuana store in Denver (3D Cannabis Center) has begun offering lower prices to local residents versus higher prices for out of state visitors.

This is one solution, but those in the retail marijuana business see a change on the horizon. As the processes for the legalized sale of pot become more fully developed over time, they say, prices will go down. Supply is the main consideration when it comes to pricing and initially recreational marijuana stores were selling cannabis that had been grown for medical marijuana stores. So there were more recreational marijuana stores than before but the supply levels remained the same. This created shortages and sky high pricing for consumers.

However, since then additional harvests have eased the shortage, some retailers predict that prices will be radically lower in 2015 as growers (old and new) catch up with the increased demand from recreational marijuana stores. Another factor that should lower pricing is:? starting October 1st dispensaries are no longer required to grow 70 percent of their inventory.? This means companies solely dedicated to cultivation and growing are now being licensed and developed. One Denver retailer is predicting, that by early 2015, prices for eighths will be as low as $10 to $15 and ounces as will sell as low as $50.