New York’s state governor has sponsored an ambitious new bill seeking to decriminalize the possession of drugs in the state, marking a major progressive shift in policy for a state plagued by illicit cannabis stores.
A new legislative proposal, New York Senate Bill S3600, introduced by Senator Rivera, aims to decriminalize the possession of controlled substances and establish a task force to reform state laws on substance use.
The bill, currently active in the 2025-2026 legislative session, seeks to eliminate both criminal and civil penalties for personal possession, shifting the state’s drug policy from a punitive approach to a public health-focused model.
If passed, prior convictions for drug possession would be expunged, removing barriers to employment, housing, and other social services for those previously impacted by drug laws.
The legislation also proposes the creation of a Drug Decriminalization Task Force, which will study best practices and recommend further legal and policy reforms to address racial disparities in drug law enforcement, enhance harm reduction strategies, and improve access to treatment and recovery services.
The bill highlights the disproportionate impact of drug laws on Black and Latinx communities and aims to prioritize evidence-based, non-carceral interventions.
Under the proposed law, unlawful possession of controlled substances would no longer carry misdemeanor charges but instead result in a $50 fine or a needs-based screening to connect individuals with health and social services.
The task force, comprised of public health experts, legal professionals, and community representatives, would be required to submit reform recommendations within a year.
New York would not be the first state to pursue such measures. Oregon became the first state to decriminalize the personal possession of all drugs in 2020 through Measure 110, which voters approved in a landmark decision.
The law, which took effect in 2021, reclassified personal possession of small amounts of drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine from a criminal offense to a civil violation, punishable by a small fine or a health screening.
However, Oregon’s decriminalization effort faced implementation challenges, including slow funding distribution for treatment programs and a rising fentanyl crisis.
The policy faced bipartisan criticism for perceived failures in curbing public drug use, leading to its repeal in favor of a misdemeanor-based model with voluntary diversion programs.
