Legislation to tighten restrictions on marijuana advertising near schools has been prefiled in the New York Assembly.
Assemblymember John Zaccaro has filed Assembly 36 in New York, alongside a bipartisan coalition of 33 cosponsors. The measure, prefiled for the legislative session beginning January 8, has been referred to the Assembly Health Committee.
If enacted, Assembly 36 would amend New York’s Public Health Law to expand existing restrictions on tobacco and nicotine-related advertising near schools to include cannabis-related advertisements and paraphernalia. Specifically, it would prohibit the display of cannabis advertisements or smoking paraphernalia—such as pipes, vaporizers, and rolling papers—within 1,500 feet of schools statewide and 500 feet in New York City. The bill seeks to mirror current regulations on tobacco advertising by extending similar limitations to cannabis products.
Violations under this proposed law could result in significantly increased penalties. First-time offenses would carry fines of up to $5,000, while subsequent violations could result in penalties as high as $10,000. Additionally, the legislation mandates quarterly inspections of retail establishments licensed to sell tobacco or vapor products to ensure compliance with the law.
For the full text of Assembly Bill 36, click here.
