Opportunity knocks for marijuana bootleggers

To the editor, Bootleggers in Pictou County sell beer at double the price because of all the risks involved. Marijuana is mostly supplied by organized crime. These people face all the risks of the bootlegger and more. There have been murders, kidnappings, torture, etc., all in the quest for control of the marijuana trade.

Is it any wonder why their prices are so high? The reasons they risk life and limb is that the profits are astronomical.

Marijuana is one of the cheapest, easiest and maintenance-free plants to grow. Can someone please explain how the government-sanctioned marijuana distributors came up with such exorbitant prices when their entire operation is “risk free.” Marijuana on the street is the very same marijuana that the government distributors sell but their prices don’t reflect this.

Bootlegged marijuana: one gram – $10; 28 grams/one ounce – $150; one lb./454 grams – $1,500.

Government-sanctioned distributor: one gram – $10 plus tax; 28 grams – $280 plus tax; one lb. – $4,540 plus tax.

As you can see, the more you buy on the street the cheaper it is, however, the government-sanctioned distributors offer no such discount. Most people, like myself, who require medical marijuana cannot afford to pay these exorbitant prices. The allinclusive price of growing one pound of marijuana is approximately $50. Go Figure!

Sterling MacDonald RR1 Trenton