Cannabis in Lake George: The New Legislation & What Residents & Visitors Should Know
Recreational cannabis is legal in New York State, and visitors to the Lake George area who are vacationing with young children may be surprised to see someone walking down the street smoking a joint. See below on what to expect.
A Rundown on the Cannabis Law
The cannabis legislation for New York State went into effect on March 31, 2021. It’s now legal for those 21 and older to smoke cannabis and possess up to three ounces for recreational use, and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis.
You can smoke cannabis anywhere in public where tobacco smoking is allowed, but not inside cars, schools, or workplaces. Adults need to be 21 or older to smoke cigarettes as well as cannabis in New York; some states still have 18 as the age to purchase and smoke cigarettes.
It’s worth noting that businesses that allow smoking, such as restaurants with patios or hotels with balconies, cannot pick and choose between allowing tobacco smoke and cannabis smoke; it has to be all or nothing. You can either smoke in a designated smoking space, or you cannot.
What's In Store for the Future?
Dispensaries have started becoming established in New York State in early 2023, although there are none in the Lake George region as of yet. We'll continue to update this page as information becomes available, or as the rules change and evolve.