How Much Does It Cost to Grow Cannabis at Home in Washington D.C.?
Washington D.C. electricity runs 17.5¢/kWh — we factor that into every calculation below. Spoiler: growing beats buying for most home growers.
Electricity rate
17.5¢/kWh
Higher than average
Plant limit
6 plants
per household
Dispensary price
$280/oz
avg. retail
Home-grow cost
~$25/oz
all in, all tiers
Three Tiers of Home Grow Cost in Washington D.C.
Budget (2x2)
2x2 tent · 4 oz/harvest
First-year savings
$3,693
vs $4,480 at dispensary
Standard (2x4)
2x4 tent · 10 oz/harvest
First-year savings
$9,889
vs $11,200 at dispensary
Premium (4x4)
4x4 tent · 20 oz/harvest
First-year savings
$20,177
vs $22,400 at dispensary
What's Different About Growing in Washington D.C.?
Higher than average. Your electricity cost is a baseline driver — higher than average states like California and New York mean a few hundred dollars more per year in power costs. Offsetting factors: Washington D.C.'s dispensary prices (averaging $280/oz) determine how fast your grow pays for itself.
Initiative 71 (DC Marijuana Legalization) allows up to 6 plants per household, which sets an upper limit on how much you can legally grow. Most home growers run fewer plants but bigger — 4 plants in a SCROG yields more than 8 plants crowded together.
Our assumptions (click to expand)
• Electricity: Washington D.C. residential average of 17.5¢/kWh (EIA data)
• Light runs 18/6 in veg, 12/12 in flower — averaged to 15 hours/day
• 30% power overhead added for fans, accessories
• 4 harvests/year (perpetual setup) with autoflowers or photoperiods rotating
• Yield estimates are median — experienced growers hit the high end, first-timers the low end
• Nutrients, seeds, and consumables estimated at $200/year (more if you buy premium seeds)
• Dispensary price: $280/oz average retail in Washington D.C.
• First-year savings assume you use or value everything you grow. Your mileage will vary.
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