Medical marijuana rule stresses local grower

A St. John's man is upset by newly-created federal rules that would see medical marijuana production handed over to private companies.

As of April 2014, growers like Mike Dawe will have to start buying it from companies licensed by the government. 

Dawe said he spends between $300 to $400 per month growing his own pot. 

He estimated that based on the current price of medical marijuana, buying the same amount from a company will cost him $4,000 to $5,000 per month. 

"It's impossible. For me, personally, being on disability, there is no way I could ever afford it," Dawe said.

"I can't afford to pay the current bills that I have, let alone to tack that on."

Dawe said he expected the government to go down the road it did, but the news is still devastating.

He said he may have to do with less marijuana than he's used to and of poorer quality than the one he grows.