Let me first acknowledge that this blog post won’t make me popular among some folks as I’m about to peel back the veil so we can all see clearly. However, the intent here is to empower patients through understanding.
A couple caregiver/cultivators I’ve chatted with have been unsure how to valuate the service they are providing. This happens to be an exercise I have completed many times and, in my own preparations to become a caregiver, I have done so myself. Patients and Caregivers alike should be interested in this costing sheet.
| Startup Costs | Total | Lifecycle (yr) | Monthly |
| Flower Light | $1025 | 5 | $17.08 |
| Organic Soils | $200 | 5 | $3.33 |
| Raised Bed | $70 | 5 | $1.17 |
| *Build-out Cost | $2160 | 10 | $18.00 |
| Fabric Pots | $60 | 2 | $2.50 |
| Domes & misc | $45 | 2 | $1.88 |
| Veg Light | $260 | 5 | $4.33 |
| Fans | $180 | 5 | $3.00 |
| A/C | $319 | 5 | $5.32 |
| Dehumidifyer | $229 | 5 | $3.82 |
| Carbon Filter | $193 | 1 | $16.08 |
| Monthly Costs | |||
| Misc Monthly | $30.00 | ||
| Water | $10.00 | ||
| Electricity | $120.00 | ||
| *Time/Effort | $540.00 | ||
| Amendments | $20.00 | ||
| Testing | $50.00 | ||
| Total | Overhead | $906.51 | |
| Yield | Cycle | Oz/Mo | |
| 24 oz | 3 Mo | 8 | |
| Cost | per Ounce | $113.31 | |
| Price | per Ounce | $125 |
* labor at $18/hr
For ease of use, you can get a MS Excel version of this sheet as well. Just download your own copy and adjust to suit your needs. A costing sheet like this can be an excellent way to evaluate and communicate the true costs of producing medical cannabis at home. In this example, startup costs are over $4,500. Nearly half this cost is to pay for someone’s time to put the growing space together
I have elected to uplift the cost by about 10% in order to account for unforeseen expenses. I also operate on a cost-recovery basis only. This is not a means of income for me and fees collected will be kept to support the grow exclusively. Over time, the amount in this fund will grow to be a considerable sum. However, as suggested by the sheet above, I also plan on having to replace lights and other high-cost semi-durable goods on a certain life-cycle. Therefore, at the end of five years I should have enough cash on hand to replace an old light without a huge out-of-pocket cost.
The bottom line of this costing sheet is highly dependent on how well a cultivator can perform in terms of yield. Imagine if I only cultivated two ounces per month as an average. My costs would be in excess of $400 per ounce. On the other hand, if I picked top of the line (expensive) equipment and cultivated using a lot of additions (expensive) then, likewise, the costs would be driven upward. As a final note, I think the goal of 24 ounces every three months (8/month) is reasonable in a 4’x4′ space – specifically if you are growing multiple cultivars (strains). Your yield can jump significantly if you are mono-cropping (all the same cultivarA cultivated variety, often mistakenly called a 'strain.' More).
However you and your caretaker elect to agree upon a cost for services, I think it is acceptable for a patient to ask any question they wish of the cultivator – and even visit the cultivation site (very occassionally) to witness the conditions in which their medicine is grown. Patients should be able to feel like they can offer critiques and suggestions and, if unsatisfied with the care provided, should feel empowered to change caregivers as needed.
Remember: You may not sell cannabis to patients. When you cultivate for the patient they already own the cannabis. You can charge for your services and this exercise is designed to help you determine what a fair rate should be.
In any event, we do hope this information is useful and leads to transparency between patient and caregiver.
Happy Harvests!
— The Lit Farmer —
Nailed it on the head. Much respect. It is expensive but let’s say a caregiver has equipment and they use the grow space for Themselves and patient. It’s all hypothetical and yes I do understand the DHSS rules. (Well I’ve read multiple times) at that rate the cost would reduce tremendously in order to reserve the dignity of grower and save patients real money. I keep in mind this plant is naturally to free. Even comparing price to dispensary is pointless if those prices seem high.
I’m not arguing your point because 100 percent your right on start up cost. Just mentioning that it could be done cheaper if caregiver has equipment already.
I think you’re right. Outdoors can be done for the cost of seeds and $100 in amendments and water. Super cost-effective and sustainable. Unfortunately, we can’t possess our entire year’s limit.