Cannabis and NYC

The history of cannabis in New York City is a long and complex one. The plant was first used in the city in the late 19th century as a medicinal remedy and became increasingly popular as a recreational drug in the early 20th century. However, despite its growing popularity, cannabis was criminalized in New York State in 1927, and possession and sale of the drug were made illegal.

Throughout the 20th century, cannabis use in New York City remained relatively low, with the drug being associated with African American and Hispanic communities. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, a growing counterculture movement in the city led to an increase in cannabis use, and the drug became more widely accepted by mainstream society.

Despite this increase in acceptance, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) continued to crack down on cannabis use and distribution, and in the 1990s, Mayor Rudy Giuliani implemented a "zero tolerance" policy towards drug use in the city, leading to a significant increase in arrests for cannabis possession.

In recent years, New York has moved towards a more lenient stance on cannabis, with the state legalizing medical cannabis in 2014 and recreational cannabis in 2021. The legalization of recreational cannabis has led to the creation of a regulated market for the drug, and it is now legal to possess and consume cannabis for adults over the age of 21.

However, the history of cannabis in New York City is still being written, and the city will likely continue to evolve its relationship with the drug in the coming years.