MC,
I know that some growers charge "rip off" their patients...but, many don't. In fact, if a grower in Cali wants to be 100% legal it's impossible to rip anyone off. We can only be compensated for our costs. One of those costs is the labor to produce the medication. Everyone needs to eat. Managing a 20,000 watt grow op takes 50+ hours a week, not including trim time. Add in warehouse lease, electrical bill, soil, nutes, and paying back the $60,000 initial settup costs. Factor in how much you are producing and you have your per/lb price.
The clubs that actually sell the weed to patients are supposed to operate under the same guidelnines. Most of them do not. We sell to clubs for approx. $3,800/lb. They charge 50-60 per 1/8. This works out to at least $6,400/lb....a $2,600 markup. Unless the club is moving very little medication, most are being compensted quite a bit more than their costs.
Bottom line...don't blame the grower. Producing top shelf meds is expensive.