Key Dates and Legislation

July 7, 2014: The Compassionate Care Act was signed into law, allowing patients with specific qualifying conditions to use medical cannabis.

March 31, 2021: The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was enacted, legalizing recreational cannabis use for adults aged 21 and older and establishing the regulatory framework for the cannabis industry.

Key Statutes

• Possession Limits: Adults 21 and over can possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of concentrated cannabis​.

• Purchase Limits: Adults can purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of concentrated cannabis per transaction​.

• Cultivation: Adults can cultivate up to six plants at home (three mature and three immature), with a maximum of 12 plants per household.

• Consumption: Cannabis consumption is permitted wherever tobacco smoking is allowed, with some exceptions. Public consumption remains prohibited in areas where smoking is banned​.

Social Justice and Equity

Expungement: The MRTA includes provisions for automatic expungement of past cannabis-related convictions, aiming to address the disproportionate impact of cannabis prohibition on minority communities. Nearly 400,000 cannabis-related arrests and convictions have been expunged or are in the process of being expunged.

Economic Equity: The law sets a goal for 50% of cannabis business licenses to be awarded to social equity applicants, including individuals from communities disproportionately affected by drug enforcement, minority and women-owned businesses, and distressed farmers.

Regulation and Oversight

Cannabis Control Board (CCB) and Office of Cannabis Management (OCM): These entities oversee the implementation and regulation of New York's cannabis industry, including issuing licenses for cultivation, processing, distribution, and retail. They ensure compliance with safety standards, quality assurance, and equitable economic development​.

Licensing: As of 2024, over 400 licenses have been issued for adult-use cannabis businesses, including cultivators, processors, distributors, and retail dispensaries. The state also introduced provisional licenses to allow businesses to begin operations more flexibly.

Enforcement: New York is actively working to combat the illicit cannabis market through partnerships between state agencies and local municipalities. Enforcement measures include inspections and compliance checks to ensure businesses adhere to labor and tax laws, protecting both consumers and legitimate businesses​.