New York’s Office of Cannabis Management and legislative leaders are opposing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal to allow police to use the smell of cannabis as evidence of impaired driving. The measure would roll back a key part of the 2021 law that legalized cannabis use for adults.
Critics argue the proposal undermines decriminalization and could disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Cannabis industry leaders fear it could also harm workers by criminalizing exposure to cannabis odors.
Lawmakers and cannabis advocates plan to fight the proposal while pushing for more funding for enforcement, compliance, and business support. Negotiations over the state budget will determine the outcome.
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