FAQs

Adult-use cannabis (aka “recreational”) is only legal for adults 21 or older in New York State.

In the Medical Cannabis Program, people under 21 can access medical cannabis with approval from a certified healthcare provider. Those under 18 must also have a parent or guardian’s permission to become a certified patient. Any patient can designate up to 5 caregivers to help with purchasing and/or administering medical cannabis.

No. Selling cannabis without a specific state license is illegal in New York. Licensed cannabis dispensaries and products in New York must meet strict public health and safety standards. Look for:

• A Dispensary Verification QR code at the entrance to confirm the store is licensed.
• The New York State Universal Symbol on product packaging.
• A QR code or link to lab test results (called a certificate of analysis) showing the product has been tested.
• Packaging that does not mimic regular candy or snacks and does not appeal to children.
• Clear THC content. Legal products must include the total THC and CBD per serving and per package on the label.

Licensed dispensaries cannot sell tobacco or alcohol products.

You can technically travel within New York State with cannabis; however, it is illegal for drivers and passengers to use or even have open cannabis products in a vehicle. Any cannabis should be stored securely in the trunk or glovebox of a car.

That depends on where they are. Adults can smoke or vape cannabis in most places where they can smoke or vape tobacco. However, they cannot smoke cannabis in vehicles (doesn’t matter if it’s parked), restaurants, parks, event spaces, or businesses (including dispensaries). If you rent, make sure to check your lease, as landlords can still ban smoking (both tobacco and cannabis).

Vaping can have both immediate and longer-term impacts. Symptoms like coughing, nausea, and breathing issues can show up quickly—and some cases have led to serious lung problems and hospitalization. And because it hits quickly, it’s easy to take in more than you intended. Potency can vary, and without knowing the strength, your experience can become unpredictable.

Please note: You can’t always tell what’s inside a vape just by looking, smelling, or tasting it. Some products may contain substances you don’t expect, including higher levels of THC or other chemicals.

Some people may develop a health condition called Cannabis Use Disorder. This means they continue using cannabis even when it is causing problems in their daily life, and they find it hard to cut down or stop. Cannabis Use Disorder is treatable and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

It is possible to overconsume and become physically ill (nausea, vomiting) or experience anxiety, paranoia, and/or short-term psychosis (loss of touch with reality). These effects can take many hours to wear off, depending on the type and amount of product consumed, but remember they will wear off. Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 if you think someone overconsumed. Call 911 if there is a medical emergency.

Yes, it can. Using too much cannabis (also called “greening out”) can cause intense anxiety, panic, paranoia, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Long-term, some people who use cannabis regularly can develop Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, a medical condition that causes severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It’s not fully understood yet, but it tends to affect people who use cannabis frequently over time and is more common in adults who have been using cannabis since their teens.

Not everyone who uses cannabis regularly will develop Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. Learn more here!

There is no current evidence that suggests cannabis effectively treats anxiety or depression, particularly in the long term. Regular use has been linked to worsening symptoms and mental health.

Alcohol can increase some of the unwanted effects of cannabis, leading to severe nausea, dizziness, and other unpredictable side effects. This is sometimes called “cross-fading” and can seriously impair judgment, slow down reaction time, and increase the risk of alcohol poisoning and injury.

Mixing cannabis with other substances, including medications, can also be unpredictable. Talk to your doctor and let them know you use cannabis. Make sure they know about any medications you use.

Just because it’s marketed or seen as an alternative doesn’t make it safe or safer. Vaping can still damage your lungs and expose you to harmful chemicals. It can also deliver high levels of THC quickly, making the effects stronger and harder to control.