Start with the tax math
Washington adds a 37% excise tax on retail cannabis. Seattle adds 10.25% sales tax. A $40 eighth costs about $60 out the door. The gap between the sticker price and the register total runs about 51%.
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Stores that post tax-included prices remove guesswork. Stores that post pre-tax prices do not. Ask for the total before you pay.
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Compare unit prices, not shelf names
Use four numbers:
- Price per gram of flower
- Price per 100 mg of THC in edibles
- Price per gram of concentrate
- Price per 1 g cartridge, tested potency
An ounce at $120 beats four eighths at $40. A 100 mg edible at $12 beats a 100 mg edible at $25 with the same THC label. Divide the package price by the milligrams or grams. That number travels across stores. Brand names do not.
Seattle price patterns
Store prices differ by 20% to 40% inside the city. Locations near hotels and stadiums charge more. Stores in SODO, Rainier Valley, North Seattle, and White Center charge less. Rent and foot traffic drive the gap, not distance from downtown.
Menus online lag. Call before a trip. Ask for the package date. Flower harvested more than 6 months ago loses terpenes. Most stores discount old stock. Some do not. Weekend specials and bulk ounces cut the per-gram cost the most.
Pitfalls
- Potency inflation: a label of 32% THC on flower is rare. Most top flower tests 20% to 26%.
- Cash and debit only. Card payments run as ATM withdrawals with $3 to $5 fees.
- "Top shelf" is a marketing term. It has no legal definition in Washington.
- Loyalty points expire. Ask for the window.
- Per-day limits: 1 oz flower, 16 oz solid edible, 7 g concentrate, 72 oz liquid edible per customer.
Store parameters to check
- Tax-included menu prices
- Package dates printed on the label
- Return policy for defective carts
- Parking cost and hours
- Online order pickup window