Assembly BillIntroduced
A 5178: Prohibits the use of cannabis in public places, unless approved by the applicable local government.
What A 5178 does, verified January 8, 2026
The proposed law aims to regulate the public use of cannabis in New York State. It prohibits smoking or using cannabis in public places, such as streets, sidewalks, parks, and outdoor areas of restaurants and bars, unless designated for cannabis use by the local government. Violators will be subject to a fine of $125, which must be paid to the local government within 30 days of receiving the violation. The law also requires the Cannabis Control Board, in conjunction with local governments, to establish regulations and guidelines for the implementation and enforcement of the law.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: referred to economic development (2026-01-07)Alert me
Quick answers about A 5178
- What is the current status of A 5178?
- As of January 8, 2026, A 5178 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "referred to economic development".
- Did A 5178 pass?
- Not yet. A 5178 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote A 5178, and where is it now?
- A 5178 was authored by Asm. Michael Novakhov with 2 coauthors. Its committee of record is Assembly Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce & Industry.
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions3 total · showing 3
| Jan. 07, 2026 | referred to economic development |
| May. 20, 2025 | held for consideration in economic development |
| Feb. 12, 2025 | referred to economic development |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 12, 2025 · 327 words
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 5178 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY February 12, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. NOVAKHOV, MANKTELOW, NORBER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Economic Development AN ACT prohibiting the public use of cannabis, unless approved by the applicable local government The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that cannabis has 2 been legalized for personal use in New York state. Smoking cannabis in 3 public places can be disruptive and harmful to non-smokers. Fines for 4 smoking tobacco in public places have been effective in reducing public 5 smoking rates and fines for smoking cannabis in public places can help 6 enforce public health and safety regulations while reducing the burden 7 on law enforcement agencies. 8 § 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, smok- 9 ing or using cannabis in any public place, including but not limited to 10 streets, sidewalks, parks, and outdoor patios of restaurants and bars, 11 shall be prohibited, unless designated for cannabis use by the local 12 government. 13 § 3. Any person found to be in violation of the provisions of section 14 two of this act shall be subject to a fine of one hundred twenty-five 15 dollars, to be paid to the local government where the violation 16 occurred, within thirty days of receiving such violation. 17 § 4. The cannabis control board, in conjunction with local govern- 18 ments, shall establish regulations and guidelines for the implementation 19 and enforcement of this act, including but not limited to the definition 20 of a public place and the designation of areas for cannabis use. 21 § 5. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD07929-01-5
Text of A 5178 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions