As the push for legalization heats up across the country, the U.S. marijuana spot index has wilted by 9.9%, leaving the average pound of weed selling for approximately $1,700. With the fall harvest just around the corner, just over 65% of today’s chronic sells for between $1,536 to $2,608 per pound.

(Graphic courtesy of Cannabis Benchmarks)

According to the weekly Cannabis Benchmark report, “The majority of transactions are for higher-priced indoor grown flower, driving the simple average of $2,072 per pound; while the majority of the weight is lower-priced greenhouse and outdoor grown flower driving the volume weighted average to $1,700 per pound.”

While flower maintained its exalted appointment as the “most popular product for retail customers,” the fast-growing market for today’s concentrates, edibles, and other infused products, have heated up substantially over the past two years – diminishing today’s dried flower to only 60% of the recreational market share.

Per the Benchmark report, marijuana prices have been declining for nine weeks straight, despite the fact that we are deep into the summer months when prices generally increase dramatically. Now unable to capture those elevated summertime prices based on lack of availability, light dep greenhouses are easily filling the void and cranking out high-quality strains with incredible yields.

Of the light deprived greenhouse flower anticipated to come to market through the remainder of the year, we estimate that only about 15% has been brought to market thus far (corresponding to flower grown during the period extending roughly from April 21st through June 21st), setting the stage for continued downward price pressure ahead of the larger fall outdoor harvest.”

No longer dependent on expensive electricity or the diminishing hours of fall sunlight, the fast-growing popularity of light deprivation permits the manipulation of the available hours of sunshine supplied, allowing the cultivator to force flowering when desired.

While painful for some and beneficial for others, this trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. So plan accordingly.