New York State’s Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) legalized cannabis for adult recreational use on March 31, 2021.
Marihuana, or marijuana as it’s more commonly spelled, refers to parts of or products from the plant Cannabis sativa that contain significant amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the substance that’s primarily responsible for the drug’s effects on a person’s mental state.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), recent marijuana use (defined as within 24 hours) directly affects parts of the brain responsible for decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time.
Though “pot” can be smoked, users also eat cannabis-infused foods (edibles) and vape marijuana concentrates. MRTA decriminalizes marijuana in various forms, but subject to rules such as a prohibition against smoking marijuana cigarettes (“joints”) while driving.
Meanwhile, medical cannabis has been legally available since 2014 so long as a NYS-registered healthcare provider certifies that treatment is clinically appropriate.
The Cannabis sativa species also includes hemp, which, although it contains less than 0.3% THC, is still smoked because it contains cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive chemical.
THC Breathalyzers