Can You Grow Weed In New York? Guide To Home Grow Laws In NYC

In 2024, it became legal for adults 21 and over to legally grow a small number of cannabis plants for personal consumption in New York. Knowing these rules can help you feel confident and in control of your home grow journey, even if it’s not always as simple as popping seeds in soil (or getting your cannabis at a dispensary).

Who can grow cannabis plants at home in New York?

Adults 21 and older can legally grow cannabis at home for personal use in New York. Your plants need to stay in a private residence, such as your house or apartment. Growing in hotels, motels, or other temporary spaces is not allowed.

Right now, licensed nurseries that sell seeds or starter plants aren’t fully operational, so while home growing is legal, acquiring seeds or plants may require extra planning. Consider alternative sources or wait until licensed vendors are available to ensure legal compliance.

What are the rules for home extraction in New York?

Home growers in New York cannot use flammable solvents, such as butane, propane, and alcohol, to extract cannabis at home. Safe, legal methods include mechanical or solvent-free extractions, such as pressing rosin, making ice-water hash, or infusing oils and butters for edibles.

In short, you must stick to non-flammable, home-friendly extraction techniques.

Can you buy, sell, trade, or barter homegrown cannabis?

No, absolutely not — doing so could land you in hot water. Only businesses with a state-issued cultivation or processing license are allowed to grow cannabis for commercial purposes.

If you’re growing at home, the only thing you can legally do with your cannabis (aside from consuming it yourself) is give it away for free, though with limits. You can share up to three ounces of flower or 24 grams of concentrates. Anything beyond gifting, including selling, trading, or bartering, is illegal.

How many cannabis plants can you grow at home in New York?

Adults 21 and older in New York can grow up to three mature and three immature cannabis plants for personal use. Households are capped at six mature and six immature plants total, regardless of how many adults live there.

How much cannabis can you possess in New York?

In New York, adults 21 and older can legally possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower and up to 24 grams of concentrate outside their home.

At home, you can store larger amounts from your legal home grow: up to five pounds of trimmed cannabis, or the equivalent weight in concentrates. This is totally legal if you keep everything secure and inaccessible to anyone under 21.

In which kinds of residential spaces can you grow cannabis?

You can grow cannabis in any private residence in New York, whether that’s a house, apartment, co-op, or even a mobile home. The key is that your plants have to be in a space that only your household uses. This includes non-shared outdoor spaces adjoined and adjacent to your residence. Yes, you can grow outdoor cannabis!

You cannot grow cannabis in shared spaces such as hallways, communal balconies, or shared yards. Your plants must stay entirely in areas that belong just to you and your home.

Can landlords refuse to rent to people who grow cannabis at home?

For the most part, no. New York landlords can’t deny you a rental just because you grow cannabis at home, whether for adult-use or medical purposes.

There are a few exceptions. Landlords can set rules only if allowing cannabis could cause them to lose a federal benefit, such as some forms of subsidized housing. They can also require you to follow odor‑control or smoke-free policies that comply with state and local regulations, all without preventing you from growing cannabis plants.

The good news is that you don’t have to tell your landlord if you plan to grow cannabis. Whether you do or don’t go for the big reveal, it’s smart to be aware of any lease rules so you stay on the safe side.

What home grow odor and storage controls are required?

If you’re growing cannabis at home in New York, it’s important to keep things discreet and secure. Whether your grow is indoors or outdoors, your plants should not be easily visible or accessible to anyone under the age of 21. And even if there’s no one under 21 in your area, keeping your grow under wraps is generally best practice.

Easy ways to manage odor include carbon filters, ventilation systems, airtight containers, or grow tents. These help prevent your home from smelling like a cannabis garden and reduce the risk of theft or unwanted attention.

Speaking of unwanted attention: Under current New York law, authorities cannot use the smell of cannabis alone as probable cause for searching parts of a vehicle not readily accessible from the driver’s seat. Even so, it’s best to keep your grow discreet and well-secured.

Tips for growing cannabis at home

Growing cannabis at home can be rewarding, but it takes some planning. Here are some key tips to help your plants thrive:

Get good seeds. Start with reliable seeds from a reputable seed bank. Auto-flowering strains are generally more manageable for beginners.

Choose a grow setup. Invest in quality equipment like a grow tent, fans, and proper pots to control your environment.

Follow a strict light schedule. Cannabis plants grow best when they receive regular, predictable periods of light and darkness. Make sure to adjust the light hours as your plants move from the vegetative stage to flowering for healthier growth and better yields.

Minimize crowding and maximize ventilation. Make sure each plant has room to grow and that air can circulate freely. Good ventilation helps prevent mold and supports strong, healthy stems.

Monitor air quality. Keeping the air and environment consistent helps your plants stay healthy, preventing issues like mold, root problems, or stunted growth.

Watch your water. Too much water can damage roots and stunt growth. Make sure to adjust watering based on the plant’s stage and size to keep them healthy.

Use LED lights. Full-spectrum LEDs give your plants the light they need without overheating your space or using too much energy.

Control odor and secure your grow. Use a carbon filter, grow tent, or other ventilation to keep your grow discreet and prevent theft or unwanted access.

Skip the hassle with The Travel Agency

Setting up a home grow can be rewarding, but it’s time-consuming and expensive, and it requires consistent care. For many New Yorkers, buying cannabis from a licensed dispensary is a simpler and faster option. With The Travel Agency, you can get same-day cannabis delivery of a wide selection of strains, flower, edibles, and concentrates. No planting, watering, or harvesting — just fast, convenient access to high-quality cannabis whenever you want it.