Marijuana Laws in New York
In New York, medical marijuana can only be used for specific medical conditions, and possession of it is restricted. "Medical marijuana can only be used for the treatment of the following conditions: cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with intractable spasticity, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn's disease), neuropathies, and Huntington's disease," according to the website of New York's Medical Marijuana Program.
To use medical marijuana, patients must first register with the state. They'll then be given a registry ID card to show when purchasing medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary. Dispensaries are prohibited from selling to anyone who does not have a valid ID card.
Cardholders are only allowed to possess up to 2 ounces of medical marijuana at a time. However, registered patients are allowed to possess more if their health care provider recommends it. Medical cannabis products must be kept in their original packaging and can only be used for personal use by cannabis patients. They can't be sold or given away to others.
New York Medical Marijuana Program
The application for a medical marijuana card in New York is straightforward. You'll need to gather some basic information first, such as your name, address, and birth date. You'll also need to show proof of your identity and proof of residency in New York State.
After that, you must fill out an application form. You can get a medical marijuana card online or at a New York State Department of Health office near you. There are no fees for registration.
You can appoint a designated caregiver to submit your application on your behalf if you are under the age of 18 or otherwise unable to do so.
Once you receive your doctor's certification and submit an application to the New York State Department of Health, the Department will contact you to discuss your qualifying conditions and reasons for applying for a card. If your application is approved, the state will mail an official registry ID card to you. In the meantime, they'll provide a temporary registry ID card for you to print and use immediately.
You will be able to purchase cannabis from any licensed dispensary in New York once you have been approved for a medical marijuana card. You will also be able to grow cannabis plants in your own home.
New York Public Consumption Laws
Under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, marijuana can be smoked anywhere tobacco can legally be smoked or vaped except in motor vehicles. Localities can pass ordinances banning marijuana consumption in certain areas, such as in parks or near churches and schools.
Due to the federal marijuana prohibition, you cannot possess or consume cannabis in national parks, federal buildings like courthouses, or federally subsidized housing.
New York Cannabis DUI Laws
Driving under the influence of cannabis is a misdemeanor charge under New York State law. Officers can issue citations if they observe impairment. The state punishes DUI offenses with a mandatory $500-$1,000 fine, minimum six-month license revocation, and up to one year in jail.
Subsequent violations carry harsher minimum punishments, up to the permanent loss of your license and 10 years in jail.
Neither you nor any passenger can consume cannabis in a vehicle, even if it is parked. Violations are punished under New York's open container law.