its not a waste of money until u consider it a waste of money.if it is someting u enjoy,and something that makes u happy,then u should not have a problem spending money on it.u like mcdonalds food?u have to buy it.u enjoy pot,u gotta buy it.its ur choice,but id do both.grow and buy.cuz if ur growin outside,its an annual crop.and if u dont grow enough to last the whole year till next harvest,then ur gunna be stuck buying it.