Cannabis Possession Limits in New York: Legal Rules
Cannabis is legal in New York now if you’re 21 or older. That’s great news! But just like with other things, there are rules about how much you can have with you.
This is called “possession limits.” It’s super important to know these rules so you don’t accidentally get into trouble. This guide will tell you clearly how much cannabis you can legally possess in New York in 2025, whether you’re using it for fun or for medicine.
It’s good to know that if you’re a medical patient, your limit might be different, based on what your doctor says when you get your New York medical marijuana card.
Why Do Cannabis Possession Limits Exist?
You might wonder why there are limits on how much cannabis you can have. There are a few main reasons.
It helps keep everyone safe. It also makes it harder for people to buy huge amounts of cannabis from legal stores and then sell it illegally. These rules are set by the state, mainly the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).
New York’s Adult-Use Cannabis Possession Limits (Personal Use, 21+)
If you are 21 years or older and using cannabis just for yourself (adult-use), here are the main rules for how much you can have. These New York cannabis possession limits are what you need to remember.
Cannabis Flower (Buds)
For the dried flower or buds that people smoke or vape, the limit is up to 3 ounces. That’s a decent amount for personal use. This is the limit for dried cannabis flower.
Cannabis Concentrates
Concentrates are stronger cannabis products, like the oil in vape pens, wax, shatter, or rosin. Because they are more potent, the limit for these is lower: up to 24 grams. This includes all those different kinds of concentrated products.
Cannabis Edibles, Tinctures, Topicals (Implied Limits)
What about yummy edibles, or liquid tinctures, or creams (topicals)? The law doesn’t usually give a specific gram weight limit for each edible cookie or bottle of lotion. Instead, the limit is kind of tied to the flower and concentrate limits.
The amount of THC in edibles is limited per package for adult-use, and the total amount you can possess is generally within the scope of what those 3 ounces of flower or 24 grams of concentrate would turn into. The OCM possession guidelines focus on the main forms.
Where Can You Possess Cannabis?
You can legally possess cannabis up to these limits in your own home. You can also possess these amounts in public, as long as you’re not using them in places where smoking or public consumption is banned (we talked about those rules in another guide!). Carrying it with you is fine, as long as you’re within the legal amount.
Medical Cannabis Possession Limits in New York: Patient-Specific
Now, here’s a really important difference. If you are a registered medical cannabis patient in New York, your possession limit works differently.
The “60-Day Supply” Rule for Patients
Medical patients can legally possess up to a 60-day supply of their cannabis medicine. This amount is not a fixed number like 3 ounces for everyone. It’s decided by your doctor!
Your doctor figures out how much cannabis you need over 60 days based on your specific health condition and what works best for you. This is part of the process when you get your NY Cannabis Card.
How is a “60-Day Supply” Determined?
Your certifying physician is the one who determines your 60-day supply. During your appointment, they look at your medical needs and decide the right amount and type of cannabis for you for two months.
Because it’s tailored to you, one patient’s 60-day supply might be 4 ounces of flower, while another’s might be a certain amount of oil or edibles. It’s specific to each person.
Possession of Various Product Forms for Medical Use
As a medical patient, you can possess your 60-day supply in the forms your doctor recommends. This could include flower, oils, edibles, vapes, or other medical marijuana products NY offers. Sometimes, these medical products can have higher strengths than adult-use products.
Quick Patient Note!
Thinking about using cannabis for a health condition? Getting your medical card is easy! You can Get a New York Medical Marijuana Card in 15 minutes! Just connect with a certified doctor online at NYMarijuanaCard.com.
Get your NY medical marijuana card or renewal super fast with telehealth, all from the comfort of home!
Important Differences: Purchase Limits vs. Possession Limits
Sometimes people get confused between how much cannabis you can buy at one time and how much you can have (possess) in total. They are related but not quite the same.
The purchase limit is what a licensed store can sell you in a single visit. The possession limit is the total amount you are allowed to have on your person or in your home at any given time. Your possession limit is the bigger picture rule.
Penalties for Exceeding Cannabis Possession Limits in New York
What happens if you have more cannabis than the law allows? The penalties for exceeding cannabis limits NY vary.
Small Amounts Over the Limit (Adult-Use)
If you’re caught with just a little bit more than the adult-use limit, it’s usually treated like a minor offence. You might get a ticket and a fine. It’s generally not a criminal charge for small amounts.
Larger Amounts Over the Limit
If you have a lot more cannabis than the legal limit, it can become more serious. This could lead to misdemeanor or even felony charges, especially if the police think you might be planning to sell it. The penalties for these larger amounts can include bigger fines, being on probation, or even jail time.
Penalties for Underage Possession (Under 21)
If someone under 21 is caught with cannabis, they have a different set of rules. It’s illegal for them to possess any amount (with some exceptions for medical use). The penalties for young people often involve civil fines or programs to help them, rather than serious criminal charges for small amounts.
What About Growing Your Own Cannabis at Home?
Did you know New York allows you to grow a limited amount of cannabis at home? (The rules for this are still being fully put in place by the OCM). When you grow your own, there are separate possession limits for the plants themselves and the cannabis you harvest from them.
These limits are for home-grown cannabis and are separate from the amounts you can legally buy and possess from a store.
Storing Your Cannabis Legally and Responsibly in New York
Knowing the possession limits is great, but also think about how you store your cannabis.
At Home
Keep your cannabis in a safe place at home. It should be somewhere that kids and pets cannot get to it. Using sealed containers is a good idea.
In a Vehicle
If you’re driving or riding in a car and have cannabis, it should be in its original sealed package. It’s best to put it somewhere that’s not easily accessible, like in the trunk or a locked glove compartment. The driver and passengers should not be able to easily reach it.
Never, ever consume cannabis while you are in a vehicle. And having an open package of cannabis easily accessible in the car could cause problems.
Conclusion: Staying Within the Lines of NY Cannabis Law
So, to wrap it up: If you’re 21+ in New York, you can legally possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower and 24 grams of cannabis concentrate. If you’re a medical patient, your limit is your 60-day supply, as determined by your doctor.
Knowing these NY cannabis possession rules is key to enjoying cannabis legally and safely. Always stay within the limits!
And remember, for medical patients who need specific amounts or types of cannabis for their health, the process of getting a medical cannabis certification in New York is set up to make sure you can legally possess the amount of medicine you need. Stay informed and stay legal!
