Not true. I have an older friend who is in need of medicinal for a condition he has and doesn't have the contacts to buy elsewhere. I helped him research what he would need to grow his own and we were able to get him a setup to grow a half dozen plants for under 500 dollars. Between his skills in growing vegetables from his early life and the many many guides online he has been successful growing enough for his personal needs since day one. Sure, some may buy it rather than put in the work, but the point remains that it is not difficult to do yourself. As far as the strength of the smoke, it is really easy to get ahold of quality seeds from any number of places online that carry the same exact strains as the dispensaries use....if you do it right the strength is the same.