With weed now legal in New York and dispensaries opening up across the state, it’s currently permissible to smoke cannabis in public. However, a proposed bill, SB7604, introduced by State Sen. George Borrello, seeks to change that. If passed, the bill would make it illegal to smoke marijuana in public places where tobacco smoking is allowed. The proposed fine for violations would be $125 for public consumption.
New York’s current cannabis laws permit individuals aged 21 and above to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of cannabis concentrate for personal use. Consumption of cannabis is allowed in private homes and places where tobacco can be consumed, except for certain restricted areas like cars, private businesses such as restaurant patios, hookah or cigar bars, and federal properties. As one of the last three states in the US to not have a ban on public cannabis consumption, New York could soon be joining the majority in regulating where cannabis can be smoked publicly, potentially allowing local governments to handle such regulations, similar to how they govern alcohol consumption.
