Signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends marijuana-related laws and violations.

Highlights:

• Specifies that a person is guilty of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree when they knowingly and unlawfully possesses one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing marijuana, and the preparations are an aggregate weight of more than one ounce (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree is a violation punishable by no more than $200 (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree is punishable by a fine of no more than $50 (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the expungement of certain marijuana-related offences where an accusatory instrument alleged an offense, and all records of such action or proceeding shall be expunged and deemed null (Sec. 1)

• Defines “expunge” as when an arrest and any enforcement activity connected with that arrest, including prosecution and any disposition in a New York state court, is deemed null and the accused is restored to the status such individual occupied before the arrest, prosecution, or deposition, and records of such shall be marked as expunged or shall be destroyed (Sec.1). 

• Prohibits such records and papers to be made available to anyone except the individual whose case has been expunged or the individual’s designated agent (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends marijuana-related laws and violations.

Highlights:

• Specifies that a person is guilty of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree when they knowingly and unlawfully possesses one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing marijuana, and the preparations are an aggregate weight of more than one ounce (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree is a violation punishable by no more than $200 (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree is punishable by a fine of no more than $50 (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the expungement of certain marijuana-related offences where an accusatory instrument alleged an offense, and all records of such action or proceeding shall be expunged and deemed null (Sec. 1)

• Defines “expunge” as when an arrest and any enforcement activity connected with that arrest, including prosecution and any disposition in a New York state court, is deemed null and the accused is restored to the status such individual occupied before the arrest, prosecution, or deposition, and records of such shall be marked as expunged or shall be destroyed (Sec.1). 

• Prohibits such records and papers to be made available to anyone except the individual whose case has been expunged or the individual’s designated agent (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text