Welcome to America, land of free enterprise with a system set up to get the rich richer. Other states have dispensaries with medicine that is comparable and affordable and on par with what home growers are producing. Some patients will get medicated by their network of private growers and some patients feel safer and okay paying more and going to a fancy dispensary.
I can go to the local swap meet and buy a $5 t-shirt with a logo that was made in China, or I can go to a fancy dept. store and buy a t-shirt with a designer label, also made in China, for $50....it's all relative to the story line that goes with the shirt, and what you're willing to pay for it.
I'm new here, but have been lurking for over a year. I see some some good growers, some beginners, some players, prolly a few govt agents, but the bottom line is there is enough patients for everyone and people will still buy Mexican Swagg, they'll still buy junk from a beginner grower, they'll still buy awesome meds from the amazing dialed in grower and they'll still buy good, bad or awesome meds from co-ops or dispensaries.