States Comparison for Opening a Dispensary
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Oregon:
- Cheapest state to open a dispensary
- Dispensaries can pocket $100,000 to $1.2 million in annual profit
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Oklahoma:
- Cheaper state to open a dispensary
- Licensing fee of $2,500
- Operational expenses range from $80,000 to $150,000
- Monthly expenses around $50,000
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Massachusetts:
- Application fee for opening a dispensary is $1,500
- Annual licensing fee of $10,000
- Approval process takes 90 days
- High competition and marketing costs
- Real estate cost is high near Boston
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Alaska:
- Favorable legal licensing environment for starting a cannabis business
- No sales tax
- May have high excise tax rates
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Arizona and New York:
- Growing markets with plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs
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2023 Dispensary Opening Costs and Considerations:
- Opening costs are streamlined and regulated in 2023
- Criteria for opening a dispensary:
- Choose a state that legalizes marijuana
- Verify allowance for dispensaries in the chosen location
- Consider the supporting population and cost of doing business in the state
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Retail Cannabis Profit Margins:
- Average around 15 percent with some studies indicating 12-15 percent
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Easiest States to Open a Dispensary:
- Washington and Oregon are top states for expansion
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South Dakota:
- Complicated and costly to open a dispensary
- Application fee of $5,000
- Additional fees at the county level
- Sioux Falls has a biannual licensing fee of $100,000
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does a dispensary owner make in Oregon?
- Annual profit ranges from $100,000 to $1.2 million
- Financing is necessary to open a dispensary
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What is the cheapest state to open a dispensary in?
- Oregon is the cheapest state to open a dispensary
- Profit margins are high, and financing is required
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Start Your ‘Cannabusiness’:
- Write a business plan
- Analyze the industry and main competitors
- Identify the target market
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Washington State:
- Has 660 dispensaries statewide
- 17% excise tax on retail sales, the second-highest in the country