The essentials: you must be 21 or older with valid photo ID. A single purchase is capped at three ounces of cannabis flower and 24 grams of concentrated cannabis. Smoking or vaping is allowed only where tobacco smoking is allowed, never in a vehicle, and cannabis cannot cross state lines.
New York legalized adult-use cannabis with the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in March 2021. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) oversees licensed dispensaries like ours. This guide covers the rules that come up at our counter most often. It is general information, not legal advice, and regulations can change, so check the OCM website for the current text.
Who can buy cannabis in New York?
Any adult 21 or older with a valid government-issued photo ID can buy from a licensed adult-use dispensary. You do not need to be a New York resident, and you do not need a medical card. Medical patients have a separate program with its own rules, but they can also shop adult-use.
Only buy from licensed dispensaries. Licensed shops display their OCM license, and the state publishes a verification tool with a QR code system so you can confirm a store is legitimate. Our license is OCM-CAURD-23-000005, and it is displayed in store and on every page of this site.
How much cannabis can I buy at once?
Adults can purchase up to three ounces of cannabis flower and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis in a transaction. Those same numbers are the limits for what an adult may possess in public.
For perspective, three ounces is 24 eighths. Very few customers come anywhere close, but the limit matters for people buying for an event or stocking up before a trip within the state. Our team keeps every order inside the limits, and the online menu enforces them at checkout for pickup and delivery.
Edibles in New York are limited to 10mg of THC per serving, which is why gummy packs are usually labeled in 10mg pieces or smaller.
What ID do dispensaries accept?
A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID that shows your date of birth. That includes:
- A driver’s license or non-driver ID card from any US state
- A US or foreign passport
- A US military ID
Expired IDs, photocopies and photos on a phone are not accepted. The same rules apply at the door for delivery orders. If your ID recently expired and you have a paper renewal receipt, bring the old card and the receipt, but be aware that acceptance is not guaranteed, so a passport is the safer backup.
Tip: the ID check happens every visit, even if staff know you. It is a legal requirement, not a judgment.
Where can I legally consume cannabis?
New York’s rule of thumb is that you may smoke or vape cannabis wherever smoking tobacco is allowed. That means it is not allowed in most indoor public spaces, workplaces, restaurants and bars, and it is prohibited in places tobacco smoking is banned, such as within 100 feet of a school entrance.
Landlords, hotels, and property managers can ban smoking cannabis on their property, and many do. Edibles and tinctures sidestep the smoke issue, but they are still not something to use in a place where you would be responsible for others or need to be alert.
Our store is a retail dispensary, not a consumption lounge, so on-site use is not permitted.
Can I have cannabis in my car?
You can transport cannabis you legally bought, but you cannot smoke or vape it in a vehicle, even when parked, and you cannot drive while impaired. Driving under the influence of cannabis is a crime in New York, just like driving drunk. The safest practice is to keep purchases sealed in their original packaging and out of reach of the driver.
Remember that edible effects can build for two hours and last many more. If you have had an edible, do not plan to drive that evening.
Can I take cannabis to another state?
No. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, and moving it across state lines is a federal offense, even between two states where it is legal. That includes flying: airports fall under federal jurisdiction. Buy what you plan to use in New York and keep it here.
What are the rules at home?
Adults can keep more at home than they can carry in public, but it must be stored securely and away from anyone under 21. Keep products in their original child-resistant packaging, ideally locked, and out of sight of children and pets. Edibles that look like candy are the most common cause of accidental ingestion.
If a child or pet eats cannabis, or an adult has taken far too much, call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 9-1-1 for trouble breathing, chest pain or unresponsiveness.
New York also allows adults to grow a limited number of plants at home under OCM rules. If you are thinking about it, read the OCM home cultivation guidance first.
Where can I get help if cannabis use becomes a problem?
Cannabis can be habit forming. The New York State HOPEline offers free, confidential support around the clock: call 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY. You can also talk with any of our staff about lower-dose products if you are trying to cut back.
Written by the licensed dispensary staff at 1613 Union St, Schenectady. General information only, not legal or medical advice.