Last verified: March 2026

Do

• Buy weed from licensed dispensaries only — look for the OCM license displayed prominently. Licensed products are tested for potency, pesticides, and contaminants.
• Bring valid ID — any government-issued ID proving you're 21+. International passports accepted.
• Consume where tobacco is allowed — sidewalks, stoops, patios, and pedestrian plazas.
• Start low, go slow — especially with edibles. New York edibles are potent. Start with 5mg or less and wait 2 hours before taking more.
• Keep cannabis in sealed packaging while transporting — especially in vehicles.
• Use delivery services — licensed dispensaries deliver across NYC and many other areas.
• Ask budtenders for help — they're trained professionals who can guide your selection.
• Plan transportation — never drive impaired. Use the subway, taxis, or ride-sharing.

Don't

• Don't buy weed from unlicensed shops — even if they look professional. Their products are untested and potentially dangerous.
• Don't consume in vehicles — even while parked, as a driver or passenger.
• Don't bring cannabis to airports — TSA operates under federal law. JFK, LaGuardia, and all airports are federal jurisdiction.
• Don't transport across state lines — even between NY and NJ, where both have legal markets. Interstate transport is a federal crime.
• Don't consume in the subway — stations and trains are covered by the Clean Indoor Air Act.
• Don't consume in NYCHA housing — public housing operates under federal rules that prohibit cannabis.
• Don't drive under the influence — DWAI-Drug carries penalties up to 1 year in jail for a first offense.
• Don't give cannabis to anyone under 21 — criminal penalties apply.

Common Visitor Mistakes

1. Buying from the nearest shop without checking if it's licensed. In some neighborhoods, unlicensed shops outnumber licensed ones.
2. Eating too many edibles because they "didn't work." Edibles take 30-90 minutes to take effect. Wait at least 2 hours.
3. Trying to bring cannabis home via airport or across state lines.
4. Assuming hotel rooms allow cannabis — most major hotels prohibit smoking of any kind.