What's happening
This bill adds synthetic cannabinoids and their analogs to the legal definitions of marijuana, expanding their regulation and penalties in New York.
Why it matters
Expands legal definitions to include synthetic cannabinoids and their analogs. , making it easier for law enforcement and prosecutors to address a broader range of synthetic drugs that mimic marijuana's effects but evade existing regulations.
Targets new and emerging synthetic substances. by defining both direct synthetic cannabinoids and chemically similar “analogs,” aiming to close loopholes that manufacturers exploit to skirt current drug laws.
Excludes FDA-approved medical products. , ensuring that legitimate pharmaceuticals or therapies containing these compounds are not unintentionally criminalized or restricted.
Potentially increases criminal penalties and regulatory scrutiny. for possession, sale, or distribution of synthetic cannabinoids, aligning their treatment with that of traditional marijuana and concentrated cannabis under New York law.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Define Synthetic Cannabinoids Legally
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
16 Co-sponsors
5 Multi-sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in health
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Define Synthetic Cannabinoid Legally
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Patty Ritchie
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3273
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. BARCLAY, BLANKENBUSH, COLTON, CROUCH, DiPIETRO, FINCH, GIGLIO, GOODELL, GRAF, HAWLEY, LOPEZ, MALLIOTAKIS, McKEVITT, McLAUGHLIN, MONTESANO, OAKS, PALMESANO, RAIA, STEC, TITONE, WALTER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, BUTLER, COOK, GALEF, KOLB -read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law and the penal law, in relation to synthetic cannabinoids
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 3302 of the public health law is amended by adding two new subdivisions 44 and 45 to read as follows:
44. "Synthetic cannabinoid" means any chemical compound that is chemically synthesized and:
(a) has been demonstrated to have a binding activity at one or more cannabinoid receptors; or
(b) is a chemical isomer, salt or salt of an isomer of a compound that has been demonstrated to have binding activity at one or more cannabinoid receptors.
"Synthetic cannabinoid" does not include any products that have been approved for medical use by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
45. "Synthetic cannabinoid analog" means any chemical that is substantially similar in chemical structure to a chemical compound that has been determined to have binding activity at one or more cannabinoid receptors. It does not include any products that have been approved for medical use by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
§ 2. Subdivision 6 of section 220.00 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 1051 of the laws of 1973, is amended to read as follows:
6. "Marihuana" means "marihuana" [or], "concentrated cannabis", "synthetic cannabinoid" or "synthetic cannabinoid analog" as those terms are defined in section thirty-three hundred two of the public health law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05511-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.