The legalization of recreational cannabis has been an extremely recent development for New York natives. While weed was legalized for medicinal use back in 2014, the legal use of recreational cannabis was declared in March of 2021. The proximity of the legalization means that there may still be some lingering confusion on the facts. So, is weed legal in New York? The short answer– yes.
Can I Buy Weed in New York?
While the question of “is weed legal in New York” has a clear answer, the state will take some time to adjust before the industry reflects that of other booming cannabis states.
The New York State Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) legalizes cannabis in the state by creating a new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to oversee and implement the law. This means issuing licenses, developing regulations, and outlining how and when businesses can participate in the new industry; all tasks that will take some time to develop.
Currently, the slow implementation of the MRTA means that there are currently no stores open to purchase adult-use cannabis legally at.
Can I Possess Weed in New York?
While there are no stores open to purchase cannabis, legal weed in New York means that you can still possess it if you’re 21 and older. Adults can possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of concentrated cannabis (like vaporization oil or edibles) on their person. In their own residence, adults may possess up to five pounds of cannabis.
As far as growing, cultivating cannabis at home for personal use is not yet permitted under the new law. However, once OCM regulations are in place, this is expected to change.
In fact, the Office of Cannabis Management of New York states that adults 21 and older will be able to grow up to six plants for personal use; this includes 3 mature plants and 3 immature plants. Moreover, households will be able to grow up to twelve plants (6 mature plants and 6 immature plants) in their residence, even if there are three or more adults in the residence. Though, this is not yet in place, and won’t be until sometime after the first sale of legal recreational cannabis in the state.
Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash
What Else Do I Need to Know About Cannabis in New York?
You can find a general outline to answer the question “is weed legal in New York” here. Some other things to keep in mind are that:
- It is illegal to drive under the influence of cannabis. Offenders will be charged with a DUI if caught.
- Cannabis is still illegal federally, so you can’t cross state borders with it.
- There are still restrictions on where you can use cannabis. No smoking zones still apply to cannabis and landlords hold the right to ban smoking cannabis on their premises.
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