As someone else wrote about here, regarding the legalization of recreational cannabis in the state of New York, the Democratic majority leader in the Assembly maintained that equity is the top priority. She sponsored the cannabis bill, and stated that the main intention should be about equity more than in any other state in America. She declared this fact on the floor of the lower chamber, and feels that those who have been the most affected by the war on drugs have lost so much.
Certain parts of the cannabis bill went into effect immediately. People are now permitted to possess up to three ounces of cannabis for recreational use, and 24 grams of concentrated forms of cannabis, such as oils. New Yorkers are also allowed to smoke cannabis in public wherever it is permitted to smoke tobacco. However, localities and a new state agency could pass more regulations to control smoking cannabis in public on a stricter basis. Smoking cannabis is not permitted in the workplace, in schools or inside cars. In New York City, smoking cannabis will be prohibited where it is also prohibited to smoke tobacco.
These places include beaches, parks, boardwalks, playgrounds and pedestrian plazas. Smoking cannabis is mostly permitted on city sidewalks. Other changes will be enacted in the coming months, when officials create the framework that will govern all aspects of this brand new and highly regulated cannabis market.