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Back in 2007, local house parties in Troy involving underage drinking, noise, and lewd behaviors surged in popularity. The Troy Drug Free Community Coalition (TDFCC) approached the City Council to remedy the problem. The efforts were successful: in 2008, the City Council amended the City Code of Ordinances by adding Chapter 130: “Community Social Host and Underage Drinking”.
The ordinance officially prohibits anyone under age 21 from purchasing or consuming alcohol via social gatherings at private premises in Troy. It codified consequences for violating the ordinance: a fine of up to $1000, up to 15 days in jail, or both. (Scroll down to read the actual ordinance.) Under New York law, a social host may also be held liable for damages if they provided alcohol or drugs to a visibly intoxicated guest who then went on to cause injury to themselves or others.
What may surprise many today is that the law also applies to cannabis. Cannabis, (aka marijuana, weed and pot), is legal for adults age 21 and older. It can be legally purchased from NYS-licensed dispensaries.
The availability and accessibility of cannabis products at social gatherings can influence young people's decisions, leading to experimentation and potential misuse.
In 2021, 14.2% of high school-aged youth in New York had used cannabis one or more times in the previous 30 days.
(Source)
Types of Use
Cannabis and its oils and concentrates can be consumed in a variety of ways, including by smoking (e.g., joints, bowls, bongs, blunts), vaping (e.g., electronic vaporizing devices like e-cigarettes, vape pens), eating (e.g., cookies, chocolate, candies), drinking (e.g., soda, coffee, tinctures) and dabbing. Currently, there is not enough research to suggest that one way of consuming cannabis is safer than another.
Health Effects
When people begin using cannabis during their youth, especially with regular or heavy use, there is increased risk for impairments in brain development and attention, memory and learning. These deficits may be long-lasting and can affect how youth perform in school.
How cannabis affects a person depends on several factors, including the amount of THC in the cannabis, how often it is used, genetics, the age of first use and whether other substances like tobacco and alcohol are used at the same time.
Cannabis Use Disorder
Some people who use cannabis may develop cannabis use disorder (CUD). The risk of developing CUD is higher in people who started using cannabis as a youth and who use cannabis very frequently. Some signs of CUD include craving cannabis, using more than intended, needing to use more to get the same high and using cannabis even though it causes problems at home, school or work and with relationships.
Actions for Parents/Caregivers
There are several actions you can take to protect yourself and youth:
Locking up your cannabis can help prevent accidental poisoning. Children, pets, and others in your household, who are curious may not understand what a product containing THC is and eat far too much, which can result in an accidental poisoning.
Establish ground rules within your household where it is understood by all members (including adult children) that underage youth may not use nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, or other substances.
Talk with your teen about cannabis and try to understand their point of view and/or motivation to use. Lay out your expectations, rules and consequences in clear terms.
Be at home when your teen has a party and check in often. Refreshing the food and drinks are a good way to see what is going on.
If your child attends a party or a gathering where cannabis is being used, let them know that they will not face punishment if they call to be picked up. Consider role-playing what your child might say to help them avoid substance use without feeling shame or pressure from their peers.
If you are going to be away for an evening or overnight, ask a neighbor, relative or another trusted adult to check in on your teen. If that’s not possible, consider having your teen spend the night in a home where there is adult supervision.
Reach out to their friends’ parents and create a network in which social hosting is unacceptable. Like minded adults will agree to supervise substance-free gatherings of teens.
Educational initiatives and prevention programs play a vital role in mitigating the negative effects of cannabis laws on youth. By providing accurate information, promoting responsible decision-making, and offering support services, we can can offer young individuals paths to greater futures.
The Troy Drug Free Community Coalition works to reduce substance abuse among young people and to build a safer, more prosperous community for all.
Learn more and get involved: www.bgccapitalarea.org/tdfcc
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Here is the original City Ordinance, Chapter 130:
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF
THE CITY OF TROY BY ESTABLISHING: CHAPTER 130
“COMMUNITY SOCIAL HOST AND UNDERAGE DRINKING”
BE IT ENACTED, by the City Council of The City of Troy, New York, as follows:
CHAPTER 130: COMMUNITY SOCIAL HOST AND UNDERAGE DRINKING:
Chapter 130:
Sec. 1. The City code of Ordinances of the City of Troy is hereby amended by adding Chapter 130: “Community Social Host and Underage Drinking”, to read as follows, with the rest
of the Chapter and code remaining in full force and effect:
Sec. 1-A. Prohibition against consumption of alcoholic beverages by
minors on private property:
(a) Legislative Intent.
It is the purpose of this section to protect the public interest, welfare, health and safety within the City of Troy, New York, by prohibiting the services to and consumption of alcoholic beverages and drugs by persons under the age of twenty-one (21) at private premises located in the City. Mayor Tutunjian and the City Council finds that the occurrence of social gatherings at private premises where alcoholic beverages or drugs are served to or consumed by persons under the age of twenty-one (21) is harmful to such persons themselves and a threat to public welfare, health and safety. The Mayor and the City Council finds further that persons under the age of twenty-one (21) often obtain alcoholic beverages or drugs at such gatherings and that persons who are in control of such premises know or have reason to know of such service and/or consumption and will be more likely to ensure that alcoholic beverages and drugs are neither served to nor consumed by persons under the age of twenty-one (21) at these gatherings.
(b)Definitions For the purpose of this section, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
Alcoholic beverage means any liquor, wine, beer, spirits, cider or other liquid or solid, patented or not, composed of or containing alcohol or spirits, whether or not brewed, fermented or distilled, and capable of being consumed by a person; except that confectionary containing alcohol as provided in Subsection 12 or 200 Agriculture and Markets Law shall not be considered alcoholic beverage within the meaning of this section.
Control means the authority and ability to regulate, direct or dominate.
Drug means and includes any substance listed in Section 3306 of the Public Health Law.
Minor means any person under the age of twenty-one (21)
Open House Party means a social gathering at a residence or other private property with minors present.
Person means a human being and where appropriate, a public or private corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, a government or a governmental instrumentality.
Premises means any home, apartment, condominium, co-operative unit or other dwelling unit of any kind, including yards and open areas adjacent thereto.
(c)Prohibition.
No person having control of any premises shall allow an open house party to take place at said residence if such person knows or has reason to know that any alcoholic beverage or drug is being unlawfully possessed, served to or consumed by a minor at said residence.
(d) Exceptions.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(1) The possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage by persons lawfully permitted to do so pursuant to Section 65-c of the New York State Alcohol Beverage Control Law, or any other applicable law; or
(2) The possession or consumption of a drug for which the individual has a current, valid prescription or as otherwise permitted by any other applicable law.
(e) Inconsistency with Other Laws
(1) If any part or provision of this section is inconsistent with any federal or sate statute, law, rule or regulation, then such statute, law, rule or regulation shall prevail.
(2) If any part or provision of this section or the application thereof to any person or circumstance be adjudged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part or provision of or application directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this section, or the application thereof to other persons or circumstances.
(f) Penalties.
Failure to comply with subsection (c) above shall constitute a violation, punishable by a fine which shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisonment not exceeding fifteen (15) days or a combination of such fine and imprisonment as shall be fixed by the court."
Sec. 2. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
Approved as to form, July 19, 2007
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The Office of Cannabis Management provides the handy Cannabis Guide below:
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