Government Land To Become Huge Pot Farm In Western New York

The last decade has seen quite a bit of change when it comes to the opinion surrounding recreational weed use. A drug that was once considered a gateway to stronger drugs and thought of by the Federal Government as one of the worst illicit drugs around, marijuana held the same classification as other dangerous drugs like heroin, LSD, and others.

However, as we've seen since 2012, many states around the nation have been starting to recognize that pot may not be as bad as the government previously considered it to be. States across the nation have been moving to either decriminalize marijuana use or outright legalize it for recreational use.

We've seen that happen right here in New York State with the passage of the 2021 Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act.

Western New York Government Land To Become Sprawling Pot Farm

Since then, communities all over the Empire State have seen a plethora of dispensaries and other marijuana related businesses pop up all over the state.

Now, thanks to a pending move by the Erie County Legislature, one of the largest pot farms in the state will soon be opening, and it'll be doing so on a sprawling piece of government-owned land that belongs to the people of Western New York

The Former Erie County Home and Infirmary is a large parcel of land that is owned by the county and has been listed for sale for a very long time. The property has gotten quite a bit of interest over the years, but no sale has been closed. However, a group of folks with deep connections to Buffalo is interested in buying the property and converting the more than 150-acre site to a marijuana farm.

According to the Buffalo News, 11580 Walden Ave LLC, which is run by Ryan & Luke Rich, would pay Erie County $1 to use it as a cannabis production and processing facility.

WKBW-TV received a statement from the Rich brothers, who are members of the famous Rich family from Buffalo, who are eager to turn this dilapidated property into something positive for the region.

If everything goes according to plan, the farm would also include the construction of a new, nearly 60,000 square foot building, which would go up in addition to the nearly 600,000 square feet of structures that are there. Plus, hiring around 100 workers for the site.

What do you think? Should Erie County sell this property for a weed farm?