Getting High Probably Just Got More Expensive with Trump’s Tariffs

Whether you love or hate President Trump, you might have a few choice words for him when next you visit a dispensary for a refill. On April 2nd, 2025, Liberation Day, the president of the United States announced sweeping tariffs affecting allies, neutral nations, and adversaries alike.

These tariffs are still raising the prices of everyday goods, ranging from groceries to cars. Even Walmart, which is famous for its bargains, recently warned customers to brace for higher prices. The domino effect of these tariffs is spreading across industries, and it looks like the cannabis market won’t be left out.

Why Trump’s Tariffs Could Drive Up Cannabis Prices

Growing and processing cannabis into smokable flowers or your favorite concentrates is a complex process with multiple moving parts. Thanks to the tariffs, cannabis production and processing costs are on the rise, and brands may pass those costs to consumers.

Even if production costs stay the same, the tariffs have already affected the cost of living of cannabis farmers and producers. These individuals and businesses need to make more money to stay ahead of rising costs. The easiest way to do that is to increase product prices, leaving consumers like you paying more for your favorite cannabis products.  

But didn’t the president say other countries would pay the tariffs? Sadly, that’s not how tariffs work. Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, and U.S. companies importing products pay those taxes to U.S. Customs.

The added costs from these taxes don’t magically disappear. Retailers pass them down the supply chain, and they show up on the price tag you see in the store. In this case, that means higher prices at your local dispensary.

However, in some cases, businesses absorb some or all of the new costs to stay competitive or keep loyal customers. But this strategy may not work for cannabis businesses already struggling with the financial burden of high taxes and limited access to financial services.

Doesn’t the U.S. Grow Its Own Cannabis?

Be it flower or concentrate, every cannabis product starts as a plant. If we grow the plant in the U.S., the tariffs shouldn’t affect production costs, and prices should stay the same, right? The good news is that most of the legal cannabis consumed in each state is grown within that state. This is thanks to federal law, which prohibits the interstate trade of cannabis.

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As such, each state where cannabis is legal has to grow, process, and distribute the herb entirely within its borders. So, yes, tariffs won’t affect your legal marijuana if it’s grown in-state. But they can impact the tools, agricultural products, and packaging materials used for production.

The U.S. imports most of these products, or at least their components. An increase in their prices due to the tariffs will no doubt affect overall production costs and influence the prices you pay at your local dispensary. To summarize, while the bud may be local, very few cannabis products are 100% made without some imported help.

Tariffed Products That May Raise Cannabis Prices

Here are some products crucial to cannabis production that most U.S. farmers and producers import:

• Fertilizer: According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), the U.S. imported $8.7 billion worth of fertilizers in 2024. The top sources were Canada, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. As of the time of writing, tariffs on Canadian fertilizer stood at 25%, while imports from Saudi Arabia faced a 10% tariff. Relying on imported, tariffed fertilizers and nutrients to grow cannabis could have a significant impact on production costs.
• Vape Hardware: Most of the cartridges, batteries, and vape pens used in the U.S. come from China. The tariff war has seen taxes on imports from China hitting 145% before dropping to around 40% at the time of writing this article. These fluctuations make stocking vaping devices and components expensive and unpredictable for retailers. That, in turn, leads to higher prices and possible product scarcity.
• Smoking Accessories: Just like vaping devices, many of the grinders, pipes, dab rigs, storage jars, and other cannabis paraphernalia you use come from China. Tariffs on these items can make your smoke sessions more expensive than you’re used to.
• Grow Lights: Indoor cannabis cultivation is a popular choice for many growers, and grow lights are essential for bountiful harvests. Again, most grow lights used by cannabis enthusiasts and farmers come from China because they are cheaper. The ongoing tariff war can make it more expensive to set up and maintain indoor grow operations.
• Packaging Materials: Most Mylar bags, glass jars, and plastic containers for packaging flower and concentrates in the States come from China and India. So, even if the cannabis itself stays the same price, rising packaging costs can drive up the final product’s price.
• Lab and Processing Equipment: Testing and processing cannabis requires specialized equipment like extraction machines, chromatography systems, and industrial ovens. Most of these items come from tariff-affected countries.

READ: The Cost of Medical Marijuana: A State-By-State Breakdown

How to Save Money if Cannabis Prices Become Unbearable

If you use cannabis for medical reasons or to improve your quality of life, you likely won’t stop just because it costs more. But you can soften the blow to your wallet with these money-saving tips:

1. Grow Your Own: If it’s legal in your state, consider growing your own cannabis. It’s easier than you think, even if you have a brown thumb. Check out our beginner’s guide for growing marijuana at home.
2. Shake Marijuana: Buying premium flower or cannabis products can be satisfying, but doesn’t always make financial sense. You can save money by opting for lower-priced products like shake weed, which is basically flower crumbs. It may not be as visually appealing as whole flowers, but it can be just as potent when smoked or used to make edibles or tinctures.
3. Buy in Bulk: If you can afford it, consider buying your weed in bulk while prices are low, such as during sales. Just be careful not to exceed your state’s possession limit, or you could end up in legal trouble. Also, avoid wastage by learning how to store your stash and maintain its freshness correctly.
4. Make Your Own: Edibles, tinctures, and other cannabis concentrates typically cost more than flower at dispensaries. You can save money by making your own infused oils, sublingual, or snacks at home to save on store-bought products.

Will the Tariffs Forever Change Cannabis Prices?

For now, no one knows. If Trump’s vision becomes reality, America may start producing more of the products it consumes. But even then, prices may not drop. After all, businesses import items because manufacturing within the U.S. costs far more.

American labor costs, regulations, and overheads are significantly higher than those in countries like China, where wages are lower and production is cheaper. So, don’t expect 100% made in the U.S. cannabis products to be equally or more affordable.

Then again, President Trump may cave in to pressure, call off his tariff war, and return global trade to business as usual. If that happens, prices on imported goods, including cannabis paraphernalia, grow supplies, and packaging, could stabilize or even drop. But until there’s more clarity, the industry remains in a state of uncertainty, and consumers should expect potential price fluctuations in the near future.