New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 222.25 — Unlawful possession of cannabis

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 222: Cannabis, New York Penal Law.

Criminal charges under this statute

Unlawful possession of cannabis

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 222.25

Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.

N.Y. Penal Law § 222.25Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

222.25 Unlawful possession of cannabis. A person is guilty of unlawful possession of cannabis when he or she knowingly and unlawfully possesses cannabis and such cannabis weighs more than three ounces or concentrated cannabis and such concentrated cannabis weighs more than twenty-four grams. Unlawful possession of cannabis is a violation punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred twenty-five dollars.

Official sources

Official OLLS publication (Title download)

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is unlawful possession of cannabis a crime in New York?

Unlawful possession of cannabis is a violation in New York, and a violation is not a crime under New York Penal Law § 10.00(6) — a conviction is a noncriminal disposition, not a criminal conviction. Unlawful possession of cannabis is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 222.25.

Which New York statute covers unlawful possession of cannabis?

Unlawful possession of cannabis is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 222.25 (Unlawful possession of cannabis).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.