How Much Trouble Will You Get In For Driving High In New York State?

The other day I was on my commute home when I was cut off by someone driving erratically down the highway. Not even five seconds later, I was smacked in the face by the overwhelming smell of marijuana.

While the substance itself is recreationally legal in New York State, driving under the influence of the wacky tobaccy is heavily illegal. So what are you risking when you light up behind the wheel?

Are You Allowed to Have Marijuana in Your Vehicle?

While driving under the influence is illegal, it is not illegal to carry cannabis in your vehicle. As long as you are 21 years of age or older, you are legally allowed to have up to three ounces of cannabis flower or 24 grams of concentrate (edibles, wax, oil) in your vehicle at any given time.

The substance can't just be out and about, however. It must be locked in a container, and kept in a trunk or glovebox, outside of the reach of anyone under 21.

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Penalties for Driving High

Depending on your level of intoxication, penalties can vary drastically. For a standard DWAI-Drug (Driving While Impaired by a Drug), your license will be revoked for six months, you'll be hit with a $500-$1,000 fine, and face up to a year in jail.

Depending on the severity of the incident, you'll also have to pay a surcharge of $395 for misdemeanors, or $520 for felonies. All in all, you don't want to risk it. Stay safe, stay sober, and stay alert on the roads.