i haven't had a problem living in the northeast, paying anywhere from $50-$80 depending on supply, quality, connect, etc. It always comes as a crystalline powder, clear to opaque crystals then to white powder when crushed. The only time it isn't in abundance is when my guy has to go to NYC or Boston to re-up, and even then, it's usually available, thats when the price shoots up though. What can you do, supply and demand rules all.