As the number of New York adults who regularly use recreational cannabis trends upward, groups looking to curb the increase plan to pressure state leaders to restrict public consumption and reduce adverse health risks. 

New Yorkers over age 18 who regularly smoke or ingest cannabis to get high has increased nearly 17% from 2021 to 2023, according to a state Health Department report released last week. The report revealed 14.7% of New York adults have used cannabis in the last month — with just under half reporting using it almost daily.

Young adults ages 21-24 use cannabis the most over other age groups, and the LGBTQ community sees double the rate of marijuana consumption than others.

“You know, a 30% increase in daily use is nothing to scoff at,” said Kevin Sabet, president & CEO Smart Approaches to Marijuana. 

The group opposed the 2020 legalization of the psychoactive drug for New Yorkers 21 and older, and views the uptick as a public health concern as young people’s brains continue to develop until age 25.

Sabet said the state is threatening to repeat similar mistakes made during the height of big tobacco as smoking cannabis increases the risk of lung issues and memory function. Research is ongoing about the impacts of cannabis use on the cardiovascular system.

“We don’t allow smoking cigarettes in most public places, and yet, marijuana for some reason gets some kind of free pass,” Sabet told Spectrum News 1.

The data could encourage health experts to spark a debate next session to impose greater restrictions on public use, limit the potency of products and start ad campaigns about the health risks of smoking cannabis – especially for young people. 

But Sabet said state leaders continue to focus on the tax revenue instead of long-term health impacts, and many lawmakers or organizations — like school groups — that share concerns about cannabis use have remained silent while the industry grew.

“They’ve been somewhat scared into silence by the political elite,” Sabet said. “[They say,] ‘There is nothing we can do about it, and we actually need to promote the industry and help them thrive.’ So I was heartened to see there’s at least this report and I hope there’s more like this.”

Smoking is the most common form of cannabis consumption with over half of adult users consuming marijuana products for nonmedical reasons, according to the report.

About 15% of cannabis consumers said they use it solely for medical purposes, according to the report, but over 30% of adults use it for both. 

Cannabis regulatory attorney and lobbyist Katie Neer said the data shows the Legislature needs to protect the state’s medical cannabis program and keep it affordable.

She hopes lawmakers pass a bill next session to eliminate the state tax on medical cannabis products.

“We don’t tax any other medicine,” said Neer, counsel with Dickinson & Avella PLLC. “It’s been reduced in recent years to 3.15%, but if that got eliminated, that’s about $200 to $500 of savings per patient.”

Lawmakers passed a bill at the end of session to update and improve the state’s medical cannabis program and permit medical cannabis patients from other states to buy products while traveling in New York. 

“Whether they’re tourists, commuter students, whatever, right now, if any of them are medical cannabis patients in their home state, they’re not authorized to go into a medical dispensary and purchase here,” Neer said. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul will review the legislation and decide to sign it into law or veto it by the end of the year.

The state Health Department has information about safe cannabis storage and impaired driving, and risks to teenagers and young people who use cannabis on its website. The department discourages cannabis use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

“People consume cannabis for various reasons and it’s important to note that cannabis does not affect everyone the same and consuming cannabis may come with health risks,” DOH spokesperson Cadence Acquaviva said in a statement Thursday. “The department recently joined the Office of Cannabis Management in promoting safe cannabis storage during National Poison Prevention Week. We look forward to continued partnership with OCM and other state agencies to support and promote cannabis safety.” 

State Senate Marijuana Subcommittee chair Jeremy Cooney declined to comment as he continues to review the Health Department’s report.

Officials with the state Office of Cannabis Management could not be reached for comment about the debate to further regulate public consumption of marijuana.

“As New York’s cannabis regulator, we’re committed to ensuring New Yorkers have access to clear and timely information,” OCM spokesperson Taylor Randi Lee said last week after the report was released. “By working closely with the Department of Health to monitor cannabis-related data, we’re able to guide public education efforts, protect health and safety and build trust in a legal cannabis market rooted in health, equity and transparency.”