Illegal
North Carolina
None — up to ½ oz is a Class 3 misdemeanor
Age 21+View Guide →
New York
RecreationalLegal Status
Recreational
Possession Limit
3 oz flower; 24g concentrate
Minimum Age
21+
Dispensaries
Open
Overview
New York legalized adult-use cannabis through the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act in 2021. Adults 21+ may possess up to three ounces of flower and 24 grams of concentrate. Adults may grow up to six plants each, with a cap of 12 per household. The Office of Cannabis Management licenses dispensaries, and enforcement against unlicensed shops has grown since 2024. Cannabis may generally be smoked where tobacco smoking is allowed, with exceptions such as vehicles and many workplaces.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
What's Legal
Consumption is permitted anywhere tobacco smoking is allowed; prohibited in vehicles and where children are present.
Possession Limits
3 oz flower; 24g concentrate
Home Growing
Up to 6 plants per person (3 mature), 12 per household
Penalties
Adult-use cannabis is legal in New York. Consuming in prohibited public spaces or exceeding possession limits may still result in a civil fine.
Driving and Cannabis
Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal in New York, as it is in every state, whether or not the cannabis was obtained legally. Officers may rely on field sobriety tests, drug recognition evaluations, and blood tests, and some states set specific THC limits or zero-tolerance rules. Consuming cannabis in a vehicle and carrying open or unsealed packages where the driver can reach them are commonly prohibited. If you have used cannabis, the safest choice is not to drive.
Crossing State Lines and Federal Law
Taking marijuana across state lines is illegal under federal law, even between two states where cannabis is legal, and it may also violate the law of the state you enter. Marijuana is also prohibited on federal land, in national parks, and at airports under TSA jurisdiction. In 2026 the federal government moved FDA-approved products and state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III, but adult-use marijuana remains a Schedule I substance, and rescheduling does not legalize interstate transport. Separate federal changes to the legal definition of hemp take effect in late 2026 and will restrict many intoxicating hemp-derived THC products.
Official Resource
Cannabis laws change often, and limits, penalties, and program rules can differ from what is summarized here. This page is general information, not legal advice. Before you rely on any detail, check the official state source below or consult a licensed attorney in New York.
Visit Official Site →