As Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Democratic lawmakers work out a blueprint for legalizing marijuana in New York, various companies are jockeying for a piece of the action — and one of them has hired Jeff Klein, who until recently was one of the most powerful men in Albany.

Minneapolis-based PharmaCann recently retained Jeff Klein, who represented the Bronx in the state legislature for more than 20 years. The company, which is in the process of merging with pot giant MedMen, already had a lobbying contract with well-connected Mercury Public Affairs, and when Klein joined Mercury in January, he was added to the team.

Legislators cannot lobby their former peers for two years after leaving office — but they can lobby the governor's office or state agencies, or represent clients to public groups outside state government. state legislature

PharmaCann is paying Mercury $15,000 monthly for the first half of the year — when the state legislature is in session — and then $10,000 monthly for the rest of 2019. 

Klein told WNYC he's helping the company position itself for the recreational marijuana market but declined to discuss specifics.

 Klein formed and led the controversial Independent Democratic Conference in 2011. The breakaway faction helped the GOP control the State Senate for years. Last September, political newcomer Alessandra Biaggi defeated Klein in the state's most expensive legislative primary, making him one of six deposed IDC senators.

Klein's other lobbying clients include a Westchester County construction company and a Sullivan County autism center.