ALBANY – The cost of medical marijuana in New York State isn’t going to be cheap.
According to an article in the Albany Times-Union, officials in the state capitol say if marijuana was legal in New york, it would cost about $4500 a pound. That’s compared to the average cost of $3500 a pound that is currently charged in Colorado.
The reason for the $1000 difference is due to taxes, housing and some of the nation’s highest energy costs.
According to the report, power is a major expense for medical marijuana producers who raise their crops in “grow houses,” explained Megan Sanders, CEO of Gaia Plant Based Medicine, a Colorado firm that produces medical varieties of pot.
Sander testified Wednesday during a state Senate hearing on the medical marijuana industry. The hearing was conducted by Sen. Diane Savino, who’s been a leading voice on legislation to allow the use of medical marijuana.
Savino’s measure, co-sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, is included in the Democratic-led Assembly’s budget resolution, which passed Wednesday afternoon.
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