question about being a caregiver

hey I'm thinking about moving to CO or AZ, wanting to become a LEGIT caregiver...5 patients and wanting to do it full time, I don't mind if I make 30-40k a year, as long as I'm living decent... I've been reading up on growing and know a good bit.

curious on where the best place to move would be and is it hard to find 5 patients who need their meds on a regular basis so I don't go homeless lol

thanks

no one? I was wanting to move their, but was hoping on some advice for such a big decision...

before you do something you will regret, read up on the laws
governing the localities you wish to relocate to.
CO is not very profitable any longer to become a "legit"
caregiver as you wish to become. In addition to growing weed for their
"patients" a "legit" caregiver must perform duties to demonstrate
their "significant responsibilities to ensure the well being of the patient"
at no cost. $30-40k a year with 5 patients and the added cost of actually
caring for them and equipment and consumption costs, licensing costs, not being able to
sell to anyone but your patients; not gonna happen, the State made
sure of that.

But hey that's what happens when you wanted it taxed and regulated like alcohol...

wait what? ok guess i'll get a couple more opinions...i don't mind performing duties to help people who are sick and need help to make a decent living by doing something i want to do..

i'll start with CO is a GREAT State!! beautiful scenery, great weather, lots of outdoor activities and wonderful people. i moved here from WA State several years ago (not for MMJ. didn't even know CO had the laws at the time) and have never regreted it.


now, about the CG and making it part. a legit CG has a lot of expenses and costs involved and the rules set forth do not make it profitable (I believe <could be wrong> the CG needs to sell to the patient at *cost*, so that's under $100/oz), unless you backend the excess (and then you are not 'really' legit. but you'll make your 30-40+)

alright a couple more opinions it is...

going rate for an oz of fire is $150
here in CO.
6 plant 2 oz per patient limit.
(registered caregiver grows, required for
"legit" caregivers
subject to inspection by LEO,
must be up to MMC code (security/surveillance/zoning)
oh yeah, in Denver City you can't have more than 12 plants
growing period.
I believe $5k per year licensing)
52 weeks a year (2 z's a week).
over 5 patients
roughly $39k
now subtract out your
idea of comfortable living, and taxes,
and costs to grow
(can't grow in the sun for free, grows gotta be secure)
and add the costs of caregiving. (Rides, food, labor,)
oh yeah since its weed the IRS doesn't offer tax
credits for the legitimacy of what you are doing.


not being a naysayer, but I am a Native to these lands and I have
watched them (the powers that be) destroy any profit model that does
not fill the state coffers, in spite of State Constitutional definitions.


When the people wanted free access taxed and regulated like alcohol, that is
exactly what they got. Tell me friend can you make a legal legit profit from
homebrewing booze?

so what exactly are you trying to tell me? theres no way i can make an actual decent living doing this? i read of many other people who do it and have very happy life, and even hear about people making tons of profits, it takes hard labor and good knowledge to grow some fire lol...

so, this industry is worthless now? and will be worthless when its completely legal and regulated? mm?

In my belief, yes, the private caregiver profit model is dead.
the only way to make a profit is become an mmc, and the
costs/red tape associated with that are astronomical.

as far as full legalization, you will have to compete with
the likes of philip morris and r.j. reynolds, imagine if you had
acres devoted to tobacco, and now weed is legal for adults
21+, not mentioning the popularity of blunts...


hate to be a buzzkill but we should think about what we are doing before any
moves are made...

I gotta roll
peace out.

indoor grown > outdoor though...

i think the caregiver way would be best, and not to let a big company take over the market, kind of how big companys cant purchase other big companys like phone company...

it would be pointless for the job aspect of cannabis if someone like a cig company wanted to take it over, which i think anyone in the industry wouldn't like that happening..they put tons of shit in cigs, and we dont want it in our cannabis lol..

CGs making big profits are not doing it per the rules, guaranteed. yes you can make $$, if you want to deal with the blackmarket. but you said being a 'legit' CG, different ballgame playa

the underground 'don't pay my taxes and don't report my income' crowd does just fine. those following the rules and trying to play nice get boned by taxes, fees, licenses and all other forms of 'how can I extract maximum $$ from the industry' rules. those following the rules are BARELY making it - especially considering that per IRS rules, ANY income derived from the sale/manufacture of a Schedule 1 or 2 substance is FULLY taxed - no deductions (like any other business can - rent, equipment, employee expenses, etc) are allowed, period.

the $$$ wagon left town 2 years ago.

could i work for a dispensary and help grow their 70%? actually work their lol

absolutely! anyone can go down to the MMED and apply for a workers permit. similar to working at a casino, you get a background check and neat little badge to carry around your neck if you pass. with this, you can go work for any dispensary. work is spotty, a lot of times it's still a 'who you know' thing (still too much distrust).

jointss said:

could i work for a dispensary and help grow their 70%? actually work their lol

Click to expand...

Sure, a dispensary is going to hire someone to grow who has 'read up on growing'. lol

jointss said:

could i work for a dispensary and help grow their 70%? actually work their lol

Click to expand...

Dispensarys are required to grow their own product, with the exception that they can buy 30% from OTHER DISPENSARIES. So, no you can't grow for a dispensary. You might be able to get an hourly job working in one of their gardens, but if the Optional Growing Location is not already established, you won't be contracting one.

Also, caregivers are required by law to sell medical marijuana only to their assigned patients, and only for the costs involved with cultivation. 30k-40k in annual income would require you to profit $5000, - $6500 off of EACH of your 5 patients. Unless you are really bad at math, you should be able to factor the impossibility of that task.

If you are going to grow to sell into the black market,that is a whole 'nutha can of worms that we can't discuss.

Agree with everyone else. It is extremely difficult to make a decent living being a CG if you play 100% by the rules. It is a heavily saturated market as well. My suggestion is to grow for fun (legally of course), and work at an MMC if you would like to be involved in that industry. Also, reading up and actually growing are very different. I was very read up when I started and it took me a good year or so to make high quality product for myself. Sorry these are not the answers you may have wanted to hear. I recommend coming to CO because it is a fantastic state in general. Good luck!