Legal Weed In NYC?! 5 Things To Know About NY Legalization
- Two years since NY officially signed recreational cannabis into law, legal weed in NYC is finally a reality!
- Whether you prefer to relax at home or explore the city, you can now legally possess, grow, and purchase cannabis for your own personal enjoyment.
- Read on for the 5 things you need to know.
8-minute read
Hempire State Of Mind
For a long time, legal weed in NYC seemed like just wishful thinking. But, nearly 2 years after cannabis legalization passed, the first NY dispensary finally opened its doors in December, 2022. That’s huge, of course! Not just for those of us who use cannabis as medicine, but for the state economy, too. According to the NY Times, by the end of the decade, the NY market is on track to become a $4.2 billion industry. That was billion—with a “b”. That means millions of additional tax dollars for the state, which is especially helpful in the aftermath of the pandemic. There’s no denying NYC’s cultural influence, and the arrival of legal weed in NYC has the potential to change the landscape of legalization across the country! So, whether you’re a budding connoisseur or a highly seasoned smoker, here’s the lowdown on what legalization means for you.
How Much Cannabis Can You Have Under NY Legalization?
As long as you’re 21 or older, you can carry up to 3 ounces of cannabis or 24 grams of concentrates. To give you some perspective, it takes only about 1 ounce of flower to fill up a large Ziploc bag. Not the little sandwich ones—the big freezer bags. Needless to say, 3 ounces is a lot! You can also store up to 5 pounds of cannabis at home. That logic comes from how much your legal home grow would likely weigh. More on that later.
How To Legally Buy Weed In NYC
Thanks to legalization, you’re allowed to buy and consume weed in NYC—and throughout the state—for purely recreational purposes. But, if you’re in the city, it can be tough to distinguish legal dispensaries from illegal ones. So, keep an eye out for a few key factors. First, all legal dispensaries must display their licenses, including a QR code for you to validate them. Next, licensed dispensaries will always have security at their entrance checking ID. Finally, look out for tamper-proof packaging with labels that include the NY verified cannabis seal and that detail exact THC content. If you want to legally buy weed in NYC, here are some of our fave licensed dispensaries to visit.
Gotham NYC
Gotham NYC is the city’s first luxury dispensary. At Gotham, cannabis truly meets design. From the minute the welcoming staff greets you at the door, you’ll know that Gotham isn’t just your average dispensary. The aesthetic is gorgeous, and so is the assortment of high-end cannabis products. That includes our collab with them on a brand new black edition of our Soho Joint Holder. If you want a dispensary that feels like a luxury boutique, Gotham is your go-to. Plus, Gotham gives back to our community with a proceeds benefit to STRIVE, a national leader in helping those who face the biggest societal barriers to employment get access to the training and support they need to build careers.
Housing Works
Kicking off the arrival of legal weed in NYC, Housing Works Cannabis Co. made history this past December when it became the first licensed recreational cannabis dispensary to open its doors in NY. Housing Works has long been committed to empowering marginalized communities. And their dispensary arm is no different. They proudly sell products from LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and women-led brands while actively giving back to our community and supporting harm reduction practices. By choosing to shop at Housing Works, you’re not only accessing high-quality cannabis products一you’re also contributing to a cause that combines the power of cannabis with a commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. And, even if they’re not in your neighborhood, you might still want to support them with a Pride Month shop.
Smacked
Smacked Village is an absolute trailblazer in NY legalization. The owner, Roland Conner, made history as the first justice-involved individual to open a dispensary in the city. Beyond their great selection of plant products and accessories, we’re inspired by Smacked’s commitment to empowering marginalized communities and uplifting those most affected by the war on drugs. So, if you’re in the West Village and looking for a dispensary with hip hop vibes, Smacked is the place.
The Travel Agency
With a mission to provide top-notch products while supporting the local community, The Travel Agency is a great environment to shop for weed in NYC. Plus, this dispensary isn’t just about selling cannabis一they’re also making a positive impact in the wake of NY legalization. In partnership with The Doe Fund, they’re committed to empowering returning citizens by creating job opportunities that promote their self-sufficiency. We love supporting a dispensary that embraces the power of cannabis to transform lives. So, pack your bags (or rather, your handy dandy Le Pipe) and head on over to this dispensary, just south of Union Square.
What About NY Medical Marijuana Patients?
In the wake of legalization, the state’s medical marijuana program expanded, too. So, it’s easier than ever to get a prescription for cannabis. Upon legalization, the state dropped its qualifying condition requirements giving doctors the freedom to prescribe cannabis purely based on their medical judgment. It’s all about personalized care! If your healthcare provider thinks medical cannabis could be therapeutic for you, you can easily explore the alternative of plant medicine. Medical patients can buy as much as a 60-day supply. Plus, medical dispensaries are stocked with some of NY’s finest flower, which was previously prohibited. That’s huge because flower extends your cannabis budget! And that doesn’t mean you have to smoke it. Check out our easy cannabutter recipe—no special equipment required—to make your own edibles at home. Medical patients can purchase their products from any of the specially licensed medical dispensaries in the state.
Where Can You Use Weed In NYC?
You can now consume weed in NYC and just about anywhere in the state—in your home, on the street—of course, just not when you’re driving. The state’s indoor smoking prohibitions will still apply. But, eventually, there’ll even be licensed consumption lounges. Plus, the recently finalized NY regulations allow dispensaries to also offer on-site consumption spaces. We can’t wait to see what the NY glitterati does with consumption lounges!
Can You Grow Cannabis At Home Under NY Legalization?
It was in doubt for a long time, but we’re thrilled that NY cannabis legalization ended up including home grow! That’s really important because it ensures that anyone who needs cannabis for its health benefits can access it at very little cost. Home grow keeps cannabis as affordable as growing your own houseplant.
Home Grow Advice
Thanks to the arrival of legal weed in NYC, we’ve definitely been channeling our inner farmers. And you can, too! Before you start, get the real deal on cultivation from one of Colorado’s top craft growers. With these tips, you can really go gourmet with your home grow. But don’t stop there—check out how to easily harvest your own cannabis.
Is There A Limit On Growing Weed In NYC?
While you can legally grow your own cannabis in NY, there are some limits. Adults 21+ are allowed to have up to 6 plants for themselves—only 3 mature at a time—with a max of 12 plants per household. This is where the 5-lb possession limit comes in. Regulators determined that 6 plants would weigh about 5 pounds.
The History of Weed in NYC and the War on Drugs
We couldn’t write about legalization without speaking to its impact on communities of color. In the past, getting caught with weed in NYC could ruin a person’s life. NY might not have gotten everything right with legalization. But its Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to promote equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the cannabis industry. It offers individuals from communities disproportionately affected by unjust cannabis laws the opportunity to obtain the first dispensary licenses and establish thriving businesses. Plus, licensees must implement a community impact plan to promote diversity, support marginalized communities, and create opportunities for individuals who have been adversely affected by past cannabis policies. So, for example, Housing Works Cannabis Co. contributes its proceeds to its nonprofit parent, Housing Works. Since 1990, that organization has supported more than 30,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Cannabis Decriminalization & Expungement
Very happily, cannabis legalization in NY includes several provisions that look to reverse the awful toll that the War on Drugs has disproportionately taken on Black and brown communities. It wasn’t all that long ago that charges for possession of weed in NYC decimated families and entire communities. Now, people with cannabis-related convictions for doing things that are newly legal under NY’s cannabis laws will have their records automatically expunged. Since legalization was passed in 2021, more than 300,000 cannabis charges have been expunged and countless other charges have been reduced. This vastly changes the lives of the affected individuals. They’ll no longer be excluded from public housing, jobs, and even things like coaching children’s sports teams.
Where Will Cannabis Taxes Go?
After admin costs, 40% of cannabis-related taxes will go to reinvestment in communities that were adversely affected by the War on Drugs. Another 40% will go to fund public schools, and the final 20% will fund drug treatment facilities and public education programs.
Pioneers of NY Legalization
Huge shout out to all the organizations, like the Drug Policy Alliance and NYC NORML, who worked tirelessly for years to make access to cannabis a reality for every New Yorker in a way that will still benefit the communities that suffered the most harm under prohibition. We couldn’t be more proud than to be part of this historic change.
