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Now that New York has legalized cannabis, there’s a lot of speculation about what the industry will look like in the state. Here’s a look at what we can expect.
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Introduction
The wait is finally over. Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill legalizing the use of recreational cannabis in New York. This makes New York the 15th state in the US to legalize weed, and the second state to do so this year (after Virginia).
Now that weed is legal in New York, what will it actually look like? Well, it depends. Here are a few things we know for sure:
You must be 21 or over to buy or use cannabis.
You can possess up to three ounces of cannabis for personal use.
You can grow up to six cannabis plants at home (but they must be out of public view).
Smoking weed in public places is still illegal.
The Current State of Legal Cannabis in New York
In 2014, New York became the 23rd state to legalize medical cannabis. The comprehensive program that was put into place created one of the most patient-friendly medical cannabis programs in the country. So, what will legal cannabis look like in New York?
Medical Cannabis
At the moment, medical cannabis is legal in New York – but only for a very specific list of conditions. These include 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, neuropathies and Huntington’s Disease. Patients must be certified by a practitioner in order to qualify for a medical cannabis card.
Possession limits for medical cannabis are set at a 30-day supply, which must be obtained from one of the state-licensed dispensaries. There are currently only 19 such dispensaries operating in New York.
In order to use medical cannabis, patients must first obtain a letter of recommendation from a certified practitioner. They then need to register with the New York State Department of Health in order to receive their patient ID card. Once they have this card, they can visit one of the state-licensed dispensaries and purchase their medicine.
Recreational Cannabis
At the moment, recreational cannabis is still illegal in New York. However, this could change in the near future as state lawmakers have been pushing for its legalization. Currently, there are two bills that have been introduced in the state legislature that would legalize recreational cannabis. One of these bills has already passed the state Assembly, while the other is still waiting to be considered. If either of these bills were to pass, it would make New York the 11th state in the US to legalize recreational cannabis.
There is a lot of support for recreational cannabis legalization in New York. A recent poll found that 63% of residents support it, while only 33% oppose it. This includes a majority of Democrats (74%), Independents (57%), and even a plurality of Republicans (49%). With such strong support from the public, it seems likely that recreational cannabis will eventually be legalized in New York.
The Future of Legal Cannabis in New York
The legalization of cannabis is a hot topic in many states across the US. New York is one of those states that is considering legalizing cannabis. If New York does legalize cannabis, there are a few things that we can expect. The cannabis industry will grow, there will be an increase in tax revenue, and there will be more jobs created.
Medical Cannabis
Medical cannabis has been legal in New York since 2014, and the state’s program is considered one of the most restrictive in the country. Only certain medical conditions are eligible for treatment with medical cannabis, and patients must obtain a certification from a registered practitioner in order to receive a medical cannabis card. The card allows patients to purchase medical cannabis from one of the state-licensed dispensaries.
In 2019, New York expanded its medical cannabis program to include chronic pain as a qualifying condition. The state also created a new category of licensed dispensaries, called “registered organizations,” which are allowed to sell cannabis products to patients with any of the qualifying conditions.
The expansion of the medical cannabis program is expected to increase patient access to medical cannabis and create more business opportunities for registered organizations. However, some patient advocates say that the program’s restrictions still make it difficult for many people to obtain the medicine they need.
Recreational Cannabis
In 2019, New York State lawmakers finally made recreational cannabis legal. This was a major victory for cannabis advocates who had been pushing for legalization for years. While the new law does not go into effect until 2021, it is already having a major impact on the state.
The new law will allow adults 21 and over to possess up to three ounces of cannabis in public and up to 24 ounces at home. It will also allow people to grow up to six cannabis plants at home. The law will create a system of licensed growers, sellers, and dispensaries, and it will impose a tax of up to 20 percent on retail sales.
The legalization of recreational cannabis is expected to have a major impact on New York’s economy. The state’s Cannabis Industry Association estimates that the legal industry could generate up to $3 billion in annual revenue and create tens of thousands of new jobs. The tax revenue from the legal cannabis industry will also be a boon for the state’s coffers.
While the passage of the recreational cannabis law is a major step forward, there is still much work to be done in order to ensure that the industry is safe and responsible. In particular, lawmakers and regulators will need to develop rules and regulations governing everything from advertising and labeling to testing and quality control. Until those rules are in place, it remains to be seen what legal cannabis in New York will look like.
Conclusion
It is still too early to say definitively what legal cannabis will look like in New York. However, based on the information available at this time, it seems likely that the state will implement a system of regulated dispensaries, with a limited number of licenses awarded to qualified applicants. There may also be restrictions on the THC content of cannabis products sold in the state. It is also possible that home cultivation of cannabis will be allowed in some capacity. Whatever the final details may be, it is clear that legal cannabis in New York will bring about significant changes to the state’s landscape.
