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The New York City Bar Association, through the work of its Drugs & the Law Committee, supports the creation of a system for the production, distribution and adult non-medical use of marijuana in New York State. The Drugs & the Law Committee was formed in 1986 to research and analyze why the criminalization of drug use, manufacture, and distribution had neither solved nor ameliorated the problems associated with the manufacture, distribution, possession and use of drugs. In the intervening 32 years, the Committee has extensively studied U.S. drug policy, consistently finding that the societal costs of drug prohibition are too high to justify. After significant study, the City Bar has endorsed the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”), sponsored by Senator Krueger and Assemblymember People-Stokes (A.3506-B/S.3040-B), as a model for how New York could adopt a marijuana regulatory scheme.
This dedicated section highlights our efforts to issue reports, conduct programs, advocate legislation and otherwise work toward implementing a regulatory scheme for the adult recreational use of marijuana in New York State. It is intended to be a resource to educate our members and the public about an important policy issue facing New York. To view materials, click on the left side menu: "Reports" for related City Bar reports; "News" for related press releases, blog posts and media coverage; "Events" for upcoming events; "Resources" for past event recaps/audio and related bill and hearing information; and "Of Interest" for relevant studies, data and outside organizations working on this issue.
2020 New York State Legislative Agenda
End New York's Marijuana Prohibition - Advocacy Handout
Letter to Governor Cuomo Requesting Community Listening Sessions to Discuss Marijuana Legalization - December 3, 2019
Letter to Governor's Workgroup to Draft Legislation for Regulated Adult Use of Marijuana from the Drugs & the Law Committee - December 11, 2018
Springtime for Cannabis: 75 Years After the LaGuardia Committee Report, What’s Next for New York?
May 9, 2019
A conversation between policy experts and government representatives to discuss the proposed adult use cannabis legislation. The occasion marks the 75th anniversary of the LaGuardia Report, the first in-depth study into the effects of consuming cannabis in the United States, a study that controverted many of the myths promoted by drug prohibitionists. Presently, New York City and State face a shift to regulating the largest unregulated cannabis market in the United States after 92 years of prohibition. The panel discussed the challenges and issues that arise in implementing the proposed cannabis legislation currently in Albany. Click Here for Event Audio
Cannabis on the Horizon: Cannabis Legalization in New York City
November 1, 2018
Re-legalization of cannabis for general adult use in New York City has never been closer, but how ready is the most populous metropolitan area in the United States - and the country’s largest urban cannabis market for commercial manufacture, delivery, home cultivation and over-the-counter sale of cannabis? This panel discussion examines the legal and policy changes that will be necessary in order to make a safe and orderly transition from a criminal market to a viable regulated market. Click Here for Event Audio & Video
Changing Marijuana Laws' Effect on the Workplace
October 22, 2018
Program on how the evolving treatment of marijuana under the law affects the workplace. Learn how legalization of medical and recreational marijuana affect rights and obligations under the ADA, FLMA, and more. Click Here for Event Recap & Audio
What's New in New York City Cannabis Policy
November 10, 2015
A panel discussion of current events in this uncharted area of law. Click Here for Event Recap & Audio
Regulating Marijuana: What New York Can Learn from Other States
May 21, 2015
This forum explores the inconsistencies between federal, state, and local cannabis law, and their effect by asking whether states and municipalities can influence higher levels of government and, if so, how. Click Here for Event Recap & Audio
The Future of Marijuana Law in New York City
January 28, 2015
An expert panel discusses the past, present and possible futures of marijuana law in New York City. The panel was moderated by Touro Law Center Dean and Professor of Law Patricia Salkin, a land use expert, and featured Stephen Levin and Jumaane Williams, both City Council Members from Brooklyn, and Nitin Savur, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division of the New York County District Attorney’s Office. Click Here for Event Recap & Audio
New York City’s Marijuana Arrest Policy
April 30, 2008
In 1977, New York State decriminalized possession of personal use amounts of marijuana. Nonetheless, researchers report that New York City is now the national leader in detaining individuals for possession of personal use amounts of marijuana. Discussion of the costs and benefits of New York City’s marijuana possession arrest policy. Click Here for Event Details
Medical Marijuana in New York
February 7, 2007
Discussion of proposed medical marijuana legislation for New York and the growing body of cases addressing the conflict between state and federal law. Click Here for Event Details
A.3506-B (M. of A. Peoples-Stokes) / S.3040-B (Sen. Krueger) - Enacts the "marihuana regulation and taxation act" (NYS 2018)
New York State Assembly Standing Committees on Codes, Health, Governmental Operations, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Public Hearing "Allowing adult use of marijuana" - October 16, 2018 (Click Here for Hearing Agenda & Video)
Criminal Justice, Police Reform and Civil Rights section - addresses the intersection of criminal laws, policing and racial justice, and contains information regarding City Bar reports and programming on those subjects.
Colorado Department of Public Safety, Marijuana Legalization in Colorado: Early Findings, A Report Pursuant to Senate Bill 13-283 (March 2016)
Esther K. Choo, et al., The Impact of State Medical Marijuana Legislation on Adolescent Marijuana Use, 55 J. OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH 160-66 (2014)
The New York City Bar Association, through the work of its Drugs & the Law Committee, supports the creation of a system for the production, distribution and adult non-medical use of marijuana in New York State. The Drugs & the Law Committee was formed in 1986 to research and analyze why the criminalization of drug use, manufacture, and distribution had neither solved nor ameliorated the problems associated with the manufacture, distribution, possession and use of drugs. In the intervening 32 years, the Committee has extensively studied U.S. drug policy, consistently finding that the societal costs of drug prohibition are too high to justify. After significant study, the City Bar has endorsed the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”), sponsored by Senator Krueger and Assemblymember People-Stokes (A.3506-B/S.3040-B), as a model for how New York could adopt a marijuana regulatory scheme.
This dedicated section highlights our efforts to issue reports, conduct programs, advocate legislation and otherwise work toward implementing a regulatory scheme for the adult recreational use of marijuana in New York State. It is intended to be a resource to educate our members and the public about an important policy issue facing New York. To view materials, click on the left side menu: "Reports" for related City Bar reports; "News" for related press releases, blog posts and media coverage; "Events" for upcoming events; "Resources" for past event recaps/audio and related bill and hearing information; and "Of Interest" for relevant studies, data and outside organizations working on this issue.
2020 New York State Legislative Agenda
End New York's Marijuana Prohibition - Advocacy Handout
Letter to Governor Cuomo Requesting Community Listening Sessions to Discuss Marijuana Legalization - December 3, 2019
Letter to Governor's Workgroup to Draft Legislation for Regulated Adult Use of Marijuana from the Drugs & the Law Committee - December 11, 2018
Springtime for Cannabis: 75 Years After the LaGuardia Committee Report, What’s Next for New York?
May 9, 2019
A conversation between policy experts and government representatives to discuss the proposed adult use cannabis legislation. The occasion marks the 75th anniversary of the LaGuardia Report, the first in-depth study into the effects of consuming cannabis in the United States, a study that controverted many of the myths promoted by drug prohibitionists. Presently, New York City and State face a shift to regulating the largest unregulated cannabis market in the United States after 92 years of prohibition. The panel discussed the challenges and issues that arise in implementing the proposed cannabis legislation currently in Albany. Click Here for Event Audio
Cannabis on the Horizon: Cannabis Legalization in New York City
November 1, 2018
Re-legalization of cannabis for general adult use in New York City has never been closer, but how ready is the most populous metropolitan area in the United States - and the country’s largest urban cannabis market for commercial manufacture, delivery, home cultivation and over-the-counter sale of cannabis? This panel discussion examines the legal and policy changes that will be necessary in order to make a safe and orderly transition from a criminal market to a viable regulated market. Click Here for Event Audio & Video
Changing Marijuana Laws' Effect on the Workplace
October 22, 2018
Program on how the evolving treatment of marijuana under the law affects the workplace. Learn how legalization of medical and recreational marijuana affect rights and obligations under the ADA, FLMA, and more. Click Here for Event Recap & Audio
What's New in New York City Cannabis Policy
November 10, 2015
A panel discussion of current events in this uncharted area of law. Click Here for Event Recap & Audio
Regulating Marijuana: What New York Can Learn from Other States
May 21, 2015
This forum explores the inconsistencies between federal, state, and local cannabis law, and their effect by asking whether states and municipalities can influence higher levels of government and, if so, how. Click Here for Event Recap & Audio
The Future of Marijuana Law in New York City
January 28, 2015
An expert panel discusses the past, present and possible futures of marijuana law in New York City. The panel was moderated by Touro Law Center Dean and Professor of Law Patricia Salkin, a land use expert, and featured Stephen Levin and Jumaane Williams, both City Council Members from Brooklyn, and Nitin Savur, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division of the New York County District Attorney’s Office. Click Here for Event Recap & Audio
New York City’s Marijuana Arrest Policy
April 30, 2008
In 1977, New York State decriminalized possession of personal use amounts of marijuana. Nonetheless, researchers report that New York City is now the national leader in detaining individuals for possession of personal use amounts of marijuana. Discussion of the costs and benefits of New York City’s marijuana possession arrest policy. Click Here for Event Details
Medical Marijuana in New York
February 7, 2007
Discussion of proposed medical marijuana legislation for New York and the growing body of cases addressing the conflict between state and federal law. Click Here for Event Details
A.3506-B (M. of A. Peoples-Stokes) / S.3040-B (Sen. Krueger) - Enacts the "marihuana regulation and taxation act" (NYS 2018)
New York State Assembly Standing Committees on Codes, Health, Governmental Operations, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Public Hearing "Allowing adult use of marijuana" - October 16, 2018 (Click Here for Hearing Agenda & Video)
Criminal Justice, Police Reform and Civil Rights section - addresses the intersection of criminal laws, policing and racial justice, and contains information regarding City Bar reports and programming on those subjects.
Colorado Department of Public Safety, Marijuana Legalization in Colorado: Early Findings, A Report Pursuant to Senate Bill 13-283 (March 2016)
Esther K. Choo, et al., The Impact of State Medical Marijuana Legislation on Adolescent Marijuana Use, 55 J. OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH 160-66 (2014)