Yah, I realize that for some, it just isn't a reality. If you know where your cannabis is coming from and that source is not spraying pesticides (almost all do spray with horrible pesticides) and hopefully feeding with organic nutrients, then buying from them is the best option. Store fronts are expensive but the one thing that does work in that system is that they do test for pesticides and heavy metals and its almost impossible to get a lab to pass the cannabis if it fails, so you can be sure that the cannabis is clean and that is worth the extra cost in my opinion. Just like its important to know your food source, it s equally or even more important o know your cannabis source. Especially since you are inhaling it.
Discussion
I agree with everything you've said. In Spain I could legally have 3 plants on my terrace and nobody cared. You can smoke in your own home or any private venue legally and even on the street (in smaller towns) nobody really cares. It's part of the daily life same as cerveza and tapas.
Also, there is no stores yet and most of the weed here comes from tiny growers or from Holland. Good pollen doesn't exist despite people here thinking differently and overall I'm not very impressed with what I've seen (and paid for) in the last three months I've been here. Though I should add that I don't have any old contacts here so I'm probably being ripped off and paying a little too much anyway.