Status: Medical Use

History:

1997: Decriminalised the possession of small amounts of cannabis to a civil infraction with a $US100 fine
2014: Legalised cannabis for medical use
2019: Expanded the decriminalisation of possession of cannabis, liberalising the law further, but did not legalise it

Policy Framework:

• Four dispensaries are operational in the state of New York for medical cannabis;
• Patients must have a qualifying condition (there are 14 presently) to obtain medical cannabis;
• Only non-smokable forms of medical cannabis are permitted;
• Home cultivation is not permitted;
• 98,101 estimated registered medical cannabis patients;
• Possession of fewer than 2oz (56g) is decriminalised to a “violation” punishable by a fine of up to $US200;
• Possession of up to 8oz (226g) of cannabis is a misdemeanour punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $US1000;
• Possession of more than 8oz of cannabis is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $US15,000;
• Distribution/sale of less than 2g (0.07oz) of cannabis or a cannabis cigarette without profit is a misdemeanour punishable by up to three months in prison and fines of up to $US500;
• Distribution or sale of more than 25g (0.8g) of cannabis is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $US15,000;
• Cultivation of any amount of cannabis is a misdemeanour punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $US1000.

Outcomes:

• Between 2005 and 2017, cannabis use disorder in people over the age of 12 decreased from 2.0% to 1.7%;
• In 2018, sales of medical marijuana reached $US40.9 million.

Source: https://crime-data-explorer.fr.cloud.gov/explorer/state/new-york/crime