Happy 4/20, VT: It turns out your green friend is pretty expensive, especially compared to other states

For marijuana-lovers April 20  — more commonly referred to as 4/20 — is an annual opportunity to celebrate the green substance that Vermont legalized in July 2018.

But it turns out weed is pretty expensive in the Green Mountain State. Keep in mind that marijuana cannot be sold our bought in the state for recreational purposes: It can only be bought for medicinal use.

More:Vermont's legal marijuana law: What you should know

A recently-published study mapped out the average cost for an ounce of high-quality and medium-quality marijuana, ranking states from most-to-least expensive: 

• Vermont was ranked at 13 for its average cost of an ounce of high-quality marijuana, at $346.
• The state secured the No. 10 spot for its average cost for an ounce of medium-quality marijuana, at $300. 

The average cost for a joint (a rolled cigarette used to smoke marijuana), was $7.59 nationally. Vermont only slightly exceeded that price at $8.05.

The study used data offered through PriceOfWeed.com, which enables users to submit how much they paid for varying quantities of marijuana. 

More:A day in the life of the woman who helped grow Vermont's biggest marijuana business

The U.S. capital took the lead on both metrics: Washington D.C. nabbed the top spots for both medium and high-quality marijuana at over $500 for an ounce of each. Oregon, Washington and Colorado — all states where marijuana is legal — rounded out the cheapest spots for an ounce of high-quality marijuana, which all fell into the $200 range. 

What could account for Vermont's marijuana prices? 

"Well the short answer is there's not really any data on the illicit market," Eli Harrington said.

Harrington is the cofounder and COO at Heady Vermont, which specializes in cannabis news and events. He named some different factors at play that could be influencing pricing in the illicit market.

One example includes people beginning to grow marijuana for themselves and their friends, which has been legal in Vermont since July 2018. Consequently, he said legalization has impacted the Green Mountain State's illicit market. 

However, he acknowledged this market is not just bound to Vermont.

"The illicit market is a national market," he said, meaning legalization in California or a supply of marijuana in other New England states could impact how much someone pays on the street for the substance. 

Licensing and a large amount of legal supply from a diverse array of sources can influence the cost of weed, Eli explained.

"State laws in one state versus another, the impacts are really more about kind of supply and demand," he said. "And, like, how much legal supply are you creating to offset the illegal supply?"

Still, he said the study's estimated cost of an ounce in Vermont did not sound particularly expensive. He reframed it, by explaining it people typically pay for a smaller quantity — like an eighth of an ounce (3.5 grams) for around $40. 

Vermont's marijuana law

Gov. Phil Scott signed Act 86 in January 2018, which allows Vermonters above 21 to possess small amounts of marijuana. It went into effect July 1.

Specific rules include the following:  

• Adults can possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
• Individuals who grow marijuana can keep four immature plants and two mature plants.

More:Vermont's legal marijuana law: What you should know

More:Vermont marijuana law: Can you smoke at work or be drug tested after July 1?

You can still get in trouble if: 

• You possess more than the allotted amount outlined above.
• You give/enable someone under 21 with marijuana.
• You smoke in a street, sidewalk, alley, etc.

You cannot buy marijuana anywhere in Vermont unless it is for medicinal purposes. 

Contact Maleeha Syed at mzsyed@freepressmedia.com or 802-495-6595. Follow her on Twitter @MaleehaSyed89.