BUFFALO, N.Y. — Gubernatorial candidate Joel Giambra may live in Western New York but said he's well-attuned to the issues facing taxpayers downstate.

"I work in Downstate New York," he said. "I have a son who lives in New York City. I have family members who have lived in New York City for a long time. I spend a lot of time in New York City. The transit system is the biggest crisis facing the people of the New York City metropolitan area."

Giambra said the city's subway needs to be fixed, but he believes proposals like congestion pricing or a new tax on millionaires to fund the project are poor solutions.

"We have an idea that doesn't require raising taxes. All it does is take the courage to talk about ending prohibition of marijuana in New York state," he said.

The former Erie County Executive said if New York legalizes adult use of marijuana it can use the revenue created by the industry to help fix the subway. Giambra said he'll soon release a study with more on how he plans to monetize it and specific details about how much the state stands to make, but he believes it's in the billions.

"Adult use of marijuana is going to be happening all around us. For New York state not to get serious about ending criminal activity and the black market underground economy makes no sense," he said.

Giambra, until recently, was a lobbyist for NY Grows, an organization promoting legalization of recreational pot. He said he's still fighting for the same cause but no longer getting paid to do it.

There are currently bills to legalize recreational marijuana in both the state Senate and Assembly.