Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 9439: Provides for enhanced penalties for larceny and criminal possession of stolen property against elderly persons

This bill increases penalties for theft and possession of stolen property when the victim is 60 years of age or older. It applies to offenders who knew the victim's age before or during the crime and have a prior conviction for similar offenses against elderly people. Under this law, misdemeanor theft cases become class E felonies, and felony cases move up one severity category. The changes affect prosecutors, courts, and individuals charged with these specific crimes against older adults.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for crimes against elderly victims, enhancing protection and deterrence within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Tags Seniors

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10426: Relates to employment at certain licensees for the purposes of parole conditions

Clarifies that employment at any licensee under the cannabis law satisfies employment requirements for parole, probation or other state supervision unless the terms and conditions of said parole, probation, or state supervision explicitly prohibit such employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies employment eligibility for parole, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to reentry, which supports criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 10698: Prohibits cannabis inversion

Enacts the "cannabis supply chain integrity and anti-inversion act"; prohibits any act or omission involving illicit cannabis; provides penalties for such cannabis inversion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by prohibiting illicit cannabis activities, establishing penalties, and protecting whistleblowers who report violations, enhancing law enforcement oversight.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill includes whistleblower protection for employees reporting cannabis violations, directly supporting worker rights and protections in the workplace.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 18, 2026

S 9229: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill (S 9229, "Billy's law") adds arson in the fourth degree (Penal Law § 150.05) and arson in the third degree (Penal Law § 150.10) to the list of offenses where judges may deny bail or order pre-trial detention. It directly affects defendants charged with these specific arson felonies who are already out on bail, released under conditions, or awaiting arraignment for other crimes involving harm to people or property. The law amends New York’s criminal procedure law to include these arson charges under the same bail denial criteria applied to other serious offenses like firearm possession or crimes causing identifiable harm. This change requires judges to consider the nature of the arson charge when determining pre-trial release, without altering the existing "reasonable cause" standard prosecutors must meet.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts defendant bail rights for arson offenses, increasing pre-trial detention without reform intent. Explicitly authorizes denial of bail for specific arson felonies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 27, 2026

S 9322: Relates to adding 7-Hydroxymitragynine to the schedule of controlled substances

This bill adds 7-Hydroxymitragynine (including all its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers) to Schedule I of controlled substances under New York's public health law. It directly affects anyone possessing, distributing, or using this compound, as Schedule I classification makes it illegal without specific authorization. The key mechanism is a specific legal amendment to the public health law, explicitly listing the chemical compound and its variants for regulatory control. This change would subject 7-Hydroxymitragynine to the strictest federal and state controls on substances with no accepted medical use and high abuse potential.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds substance to Schedule I, expanding criminalization of possession/distribution, opposing reform efforts to reduce drug-related offenses and harsh sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 9187: Adds nitazene to schedule I of controlled substances

S 9187 adds nitazene to Schedule I of New York's controlled substances list under Public Health Law. This makes nitazene illegal without a license, directly affecting anyone who possesses, distributes, or uses it. The bill creates a new entry (paragraph 37-a) in Schedule I to prohibit nitazene, aligning it with substances like heroin and LSD that have no accepted medical use and a high abuse potential. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds nitazene to Schedule I, expanding criminalization of drug possession under strict penalties, aligning with heroin/LSD enforcement standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 8637: Relates to purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund

Expands the purposes of the drug treatment and public education fund to include prevention and recovery programs; requires reporting to be made available on the office of addiction services and supports' website.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands fund purposes to include prevention/recovery programs, directing existing budget toward public health services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation and recidivism reduction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands drug treatment fund to include prevention/recovery programs, strengthening public health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 8, 2026

A 1647: Relates to decriminalizing the possession of buprenorphine

This bill removes criminal penalties for possessing buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid addiction) when used for medical purposes under specific circumstances. It directly affects individuals who currently face criminal charges for possessing this medication, particularly those using it in addiction treatment. The key change amends Public Health Law to clarify that possession for medical use by a practitioner or patient is no longer classified as a crime. The law remains focused on medical use during treatment for addiction, without creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes criminal penalties for medical buprenorphine use in opioid treatment, reducing unnecessary criminalization and promoting rehabilitation over punishment in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDecriminalizes buprenorphine possession for substance use disorder treatment, improving access to medication-assisted therapy for addiction, a healthcare service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 8951: Prohibits cannabis inversion

Enacts the "cannabis supply chain integrity and anti-inversion act"; prohibits any act or omission involving illicit cannabis; provides penalties for such cannabis inversion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill imposes penalties for illicit cannabis activities, strengthening law enforcement authority in criminal justice enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2331: Relates to decriminalizing the possession of buprenorphine

S 2331 removes buprenorphine from the legal definitions of "controlled substance" and "narcotic preparation" under New York's penal law. This change means possessing buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid use disorder) will no longer be treated as a criminal offense under these specific provisions. The bill amends two sections of the penal law to exclude buprenorphine from lists that previously carried criminal penalties for possession. It will take effect on November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for buprenorphine possession, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with drug policy reform to prioritize treatment over punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDecriminalizes buprenorphine for opioid treatment, removing criminal penalties and improving access to medication-assisted therapy for addiction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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