On Tuesday, the New York legislature passed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana and on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law.
“For too long the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately targets communities of color with harsh prison sentences and after years of hard work, this landmark legislation provides justice for long-marginalized communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy, and establishes substantial safety guards for the public,” Cuomo said. “New York has a storied history off being the progressive capital of the nation, and this important legislation will once again carry on that legacy.”
New York is the 16th state (along with Washington D.C.) to legalize cannabis, but it is the first state to allow smoking marijuana in public. That means smoking marijuana is completely legal anywhere cigarette smoking is allowed, including on the sidewalk or in a parked car. However, local municipalities can impose stricter rules on public use.
The law immediately goes into effect and adults over the age of 21 can possess up to three ounces of marijuana (or 24 grams of marijuana concentrate). While weed is legal immediately under the law, adult-use sales are not expected to begin for 18 to 24 months.
