BUFFALO, N.Y. — As New York State continues to roll out its cannabis dispensary program some Erie County lawmakers want more information on how it will benefit the county and local governments. 

The State Office of Cannabis Management on Wednesday reported that during the first two years of legal sales of adult recreational marijuana more than $1 billion in legalized pot was actually sold through 368 licensed dispensaries around the state. 

Some Erie County lawmakers seek to know real figures and how the tax revenue from those sales will actually filter down to local city, town, and village governments if they actually host dispensaries within their community limits.    

County Legislator John Bargnesi, who represents the Tonawanda area in District 4,  says he was somewhat surprised to learn from county budget officials that they have only 12 actual registered dispensaries operating here in Erie County.

He also wants to know more about that actual distribution process of anticipated tax revenue for pot sales.

“I think there are a lot more dispensaries than they are not aware of yet,” Bargnesi said. “And just because I don’t think the numbers have come through from the state to the county to the towns, so the numbers, that actual revenue that’s coming into each individual community, were shockingly low. That’s why I’m anticipating that the numbers are going to increase once the system is better oiled if you will to distribute the money.”

The Erie County Comptroller’s Office is trying to get more clarification from the State OCM as to the payment distribution system. 

Some local communities facing budget issues may count on some of that funding in the future to help offset some of their costs. 

We have reached out to the State Office of Cannabis Management.