Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3640: Relates to warning labels on cannabis and criminalizes certain violations of restrictions on the sale of adult use cannabis

Relates to warning labels on cannabis products; includes advertising, deceptively advertising, branding, marketing, packaging, displaying, labelling, offering for ingestion outside of packaging, or administering cannabis products in contravention of a certain section of the cannabis law or rules and regulations in the criminal sale of cannabis in the first degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes violations of cannabis sale restrictions, expanding criminalization under cannabis law95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7141: Establishes the crime of aggravated criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting in serious physical injury

Amends the offense of murder in the second degree to include when a person knowingly distributes fentanyl or any substance containing fentanyl and as a result of such distribution causes the death of another person; establishes the crime of aggravated criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting in serious physical injury.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates stricter penalties for fentanyl distribution causing death/injury, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4151: Mandates pre-trial detention of a principal who stands charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell

Mandates pre-trial detention of a principal who stands charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, or criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates pre-trial detention for drug possession charges, reducing defendant rights and increasing pretrial incarceration, opposing reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3247: Relates to criminal possession of a flamethrower

This bill makes possessing a flamethrower a class E felony under New York law. It defines a "flamethrower" as any device projecting burning fuel at least three feet, excluding inoperable displays. The law specifically excludes historical flamethrowers (built before 1966 with at least five significant pre-1966 components), those used for agriculture/construction, and flamethrowers owned before the law takes effect. It does not ban manufacturing or restoring components, only possession of active devices meeting the definition. The law takes effect 120 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies flamethrower possession as felony, expanding criminalization of weapons under NY law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4034: Places kratom on the schedules of controlled substances

This bill would classify kratom (mitragyna speciosa korth) as a Schedule I controlled substance under New York State law, making its possession, sale, and use illegal without a specific license. Schedule I substances are defined as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, placing kratom in the same category as drugs like heroin or LSD. The bill amends the public health law to add kratom to Schedule I, requiring state agencies to implement necessary rules within 90 days of the law's effective date. This change would directly affect individuals using kratom for personal purposes, businesses selling kratom products, and law enforcement handling related cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by classifying kratom as Schedule I (illegal without license), aligning with 'oppose' indicators (expands criminalization).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1488: Includes certain acts and subsequent penalties in the criminal sale of cannabis

This bill amends New York's penal law to clarify and strengthen penalties for illegal cannabis sales. It creates three criminal offenses based on quantity sold (e.g., selling over 3 ounces triggers a third-degree crime) and restricts sales to minors (e.g., selling to anyone under 21 is prohibited, with limited exceptions for caregivers). Businesses selling cannabis without a license face criminal charges and are barred from obtaining future cannabis permits. Additionally, commercial establishments violating these rules face escalating civil fines ($10,000-$50,000 per violation) payable to local counties. The changes take effect immediately.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for illegal cannabis sales, expands criminalization without reform measures or reduced sentences.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5448: Establishes certain offenses based on homicide due to criminal sale of a controlled substance and the criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child in the first degree

Establishes certain offenses based on homicide due to criminal sale of a controlled substance; establishes the offense of criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child in the first degree; expands the definition of controlled substances with respect to certain offenses; increases the felony classification of certain controlled substance offenses; includes electronic prescriptions and blank prescription forms in the definition of certain controlled substance offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony classifications for controlled substance offenses and expands criminalization by including electronic prescriptions and blank forms, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminaliz...90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1039: Creates the crime of unlawful possession of a radio frequency jamming device

This bill creates a new class D felony offense for knowingly possessing a device that disrupts wireless communications (like cell signals or GPS) without legal authorization. It directly affects individuals who own or carry such jamming devices, including those used to interfere with emergency services or commercial networks. The law prohibits possession of any device capable of emitting radio noise or signals that interfere with wireless communications. Violators face criminal penalties under state law, with the offense defined as unlawful possession without a right to do so.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for jamming devices, expanding criminalization without reform focus or oversight improvements.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes unauthorized jamming of wireless networks, directly enhancing cybersecurity by preventing interference with critical communications infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 105: Includes within the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, the possession of a weapon, outside the home, while intoxicated; repealer

Includes within the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, the possession of a firearm, rifle or shotgun, outside the home, while impaired or intoxicated by use of alcohol or drugs; increases maximum fine for such offense to $10,000; provides for chemical testing of certain persons for whom there is reasonable cause to believe are in violation of such provision; provides for revocation of firearms permit upon conviction or refusal of a chemical test.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of weapon possession while intoxicated, increases penalties, and revokes firearms permits - strengthening punitive measures rather than reforming justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 542: Provides that a fentanyl analogue shall be deemed to be a schedule I opiate

This bill defines "fentanyl analogue" as any substance structurally related to fentanyl through specific chemical modifications (e.g., replacing parts of the molecule or adding certain groups). It adds all such analogues to Schedule I of the public health law, making them illegal without a prescription. The bill also clarifies that "knowingly" possessing or selling these substances does not require knowledge of their exact chemical structure. Exclusions include pure fentanyl, FDA-approved drugs, and investigational substances under specific exemptions. This directly affects individuals handling these chemicals, medical professionals, and law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding fentanyl analogues to Schedule I, increasing penalties for possession/sale without requiring chemical knowledge.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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