Drug Economy in FiveM

The drug economy is one of the most highly engaging systems in criminal RP because it combines risk, reward, and social conflict.

Economy Chain

Harvest Seeds → Process Raw → Sell to NPC/Player
(Weed Plants) (Weed Lab) (Dealer NPCs)

Config

Config.Drugs = {
    weed = {
        seed = 'weed_seed',
        raw = 'weed_raw',
        processed = 'weed',
        
        growTime = 3600, -- 1 real hour
        harvestAmount = { min = 3, max = 8 },
        processTime = 10000,
        processAmount = 1, -- raw 2 -> processed 1
        processNeeds = 2,
        
        basePrice = 500,
        priceVariance = 0.3, -- ±30%
    },
    meth = {
        seed = nil,
        raw = 'chemicals',
        processed = 'meth',
        
        processTime = 30000,
        processAmount = 2,
        processNeeds = 5,
        
        basePrice = 2000,
        priceVariance = 0.4,
    }
}

Config.GrowSpots = {
    { coords = vector3(-1268.0, -1594.0, 4.0), drug = 'weed', label = 'garden plot 1' },
    { coords = vector3(-1279.0, -1610.0, 3.0), drug = 'weed', label = 'garden plot 2' },
}

Config.Labs = {
    { coords = vector3(-1089.7, -1600.2, 4.4), drug = 'meth', label = 'Lab Nuea' },
    { coords = vector3(1150.0, -1600.0, 35.0), drug = 'weed', label = 'Lab Tai' },
}

Config.Dealers = {
    { coords = vector3(165.0, -1718.0, 29.0), drug = 'weed', multiplier = 1.0 },
    { coords = vector3(-1589.0, -1078.0, 13.0), drug = 'meth', multiplier = 1.2 },
}

Dynamic Pricing

-- server.lua
local drugPrices = {}

-- Calculate price based on supply/demand
local salesHistory = {} -- {[drug] = count in last 1 hour}

local function GetDrugPrice(drug)
    local base = Config.Drugs[drug].basePrice
    local variance = Config.Drugs[drug].priceVariance
    local sales = salesHistory[drug] or 0
    
    -- The more you sell, the lower the price (higher supply)
    local demandMultiplier = 1.0 - (math.min(sales, 50) / 50 * variance)
    
    -- a little random noise
    local noise = (math.random() - 0.5) * 0.1
    
    return math.floor(base * (demandMultiplier + noise))
end

-- Reset sales history every 1 hour
Citizen.CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        Citizen.Wait(3600000)
        salesHistory = {}
        -- broadcast new price
        TriggerClientEvent('drug:priceUpdate', -1, GetAllPrices())
    end
end)

-- Sell
RegisterNetEvent('drug:sell')
AddEventHandler('drug:sell', function(drug, amount)
    local src = source
    local xPlayer = ESX.GetPlayerFromId(src)
    
    -- Check item
    local item = xPlayer.getInventoryItem(drug)
    if item.count < amount then
        TriggerClientEvent('M2.Notify:Notify', src, 'error', 'Not enough medicine', 3000)
        return
    end
    
    local price = GetDrugPrice(drug) * amount
    
    xPlayer.removeInventoryItem(drug, amount)
    xPlayer.addMoney(price)
    
    -- Update sales history
    salesHistory[drug] = (salesHistory[drug] or 0) + amount
    
    TriggerClientEvent('M2.Notify:Notify', src, 'success',
        string.format('Sell %d %s for $%d', amount, drug, price), 5000)
end)

Growing System

-- server.lua — save plants in DB
local activePlants = {}

RegisterNetEvent('drug:plant')
AddEventHandler('drug:plant', function(spotId)
    local src = source
    local xPlayer = ESX.GetPlayerFromId(src)
    local drug = GetSpotDrug(spotId)
    
    -- Check seed
    local seedItem = Config.Drugs[drug].seed
    if not xPlayer.getInventoryItem(seedItem) then return end
xPlayer.removeInventoryItem(seedItem, 1)
    
    local harvestTime = GetGameTimer() + (Config.Drugs[drug].growTime * 1000)
    activePlants[spotId] = {
        owner = xPlayer.identifier,
        drug = drug,
        harvestTime = harvestTime
    }
    
    -- DB record
    MySQL.insert.await(
        'INSERT INTO drug_plants (spot_id, owner, drug, harvest_time) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)',
        { spotId, xPlayer.identifier, drug, harvestTime }
    )
end)

Summary

A good drug economy has a balance between risk (police, turf war) and reward (profit). Dynamic pricing allows the market to not saturate and players to diversify their behavior.