I finally decided I'm too old to be dealing with the black market. Also wanted to know what I was getting for once. Drove from PA to MA a few weeks ago and picked up an oz that ran over 500 once taxes were added. I didn't bargain hunt. Went to the closest dispensary and straight for as many top notch sativas as I could, picking up three quarters and two eighths for a total of five different strains. I've tested three so far and am blown away by the quality. My black market contact always has good product but not as good as what I purchased in MA. I'm set now for a while and hopefully the exorbitant price shock will lessen as time passes. The shock is partly diminished by the fact that I don't have to be dependant on someone else (a real relief). Market forces work their magic I guess and in MA it appears folks are willing to pay $$$. The containers were ridiculous. Why add the expense of a packaging if it doesn't come close to sealing in the odor? I ditched them asap for mason jars.
If you live in PA(which I assume you do if you said you drove from PA to MA), why not just get a PA mmj card and save on gas money/tolls/other expenses, not take the risk of getting a possible felony, and still get good legal cannabis(once you learn which companies in PA to avoid)?
Low end 1/8ths go for $35, so $280/oz, up to $65 an 1/8, $520/oz. With online ordering, curbside pickup, one of the easiest states to meet one of the 17+ qualifying conditions to get a med card, and this seems really ridiculous considering we are watching this virus set daily records for deaths/infections, not too mention the stress on hospitals.
Returning to live in PA from CO, it's certainly not like top shelf out there, but I've had cannabis in PA that met or exceeded cannabis I was sold in dispensaries out there. It's just the top stuff in CO out does most everything I've seen in PA. But there is a shitload of crap cannabis in CO being sold to those who want cheap "weed" and also, tourists. PA could do better and from the inception of the program till now, I'd say they are improving, just not as fast as most of us would like.
Med cards for 1st time patients cost $50 to the state, and as low as $100, for a dr visit, most of which are by phone or video at this point after covid reared it's head. Renewing your card after the 1st year, is as low as $50 for dr visit, plus the $50 to the state. I don't advocate it, but from reading other online forums, and talking to other patients, many doctors don't even ask for a prior doctor diagnosis of whatever condition you claim to have. At least you'd be supporting local PA residents who work at the dispensaries here. Plus I'm not ripping on MA, but never in my time working in the industry have I had someone tell me, "Ya gotta try this fire MA cannabis" lol.
If you go this route and want some true-to-the-strain-name, properly grown, properly cured cannabis, checkout Farmaceutical Rx flower. They go for $60/ 1/8th in the places near me, but are heads and above the rest in quality and consistency. I highly recommend it over trips to MA.