The risks and rewards of legalizing marijuana

New York has relaxed its prohibition on marijuana and is debating outright legalization. This exclusive NewsHouse reporting project investigates what that means for the state, its farms, colleges and businesses.

Explore High Stakes

Campus Culture

CBD parties, gravity bongs and a puff before class, cannabis culture is abuzz on New York's college campuses.

New York survey shows college students favor legalization

New York college students eagerly await legalization of marijuana

A NewsHouse survey of more than 250 students finds they strongly support legalization and would love to take classes on pot.

by Patrick Linehan

Placards display the menu for Mariah B’s CBD pop-up food table at a party.

CBD appeals to young people seeking stress and pain relief

Many people are turning to CBD as a body and mind relaxant, pain reliever and potential business venture.

by Sydney Bergan

Marijuana is more than just a word, its controversial history reveals

A 420 exploration into "marijuana's" roots and other commonly used terms for Mary Jane from ganja to grass.

by Meredith Clark

A Syracuse student smokes marijuana at their apartment.

Higher Education: Students discuss ups and downs of legal weed

Students say they'll skip dispensaries because of high prices and continue to purchase weed from dealers.

by Carter Griffin

Farms & Business

Empire State farms are already growing cannabis. Just how many New Yorkers profit from legalization will depend on how the state regulates the industry.

Researchers at Cornell's AgriTech lab in Geneva, N.Y.

From seed to sale

What will legalization look like for farms, businesses and consumers? It will depend on the rules New York adopts and how those rules shape the supply chain for weed.

by Christopher Hippensteel

Hemp plants at Cornell University's Surge Laboratory in Geneva New York on March 1, 2020.

Tour Cornell’s research facility where New York’s hemp industry takes root

Researchers are busy breeding hemp varieties that could mean the difference between flourish and flop for the farmers they serve.

by Amanda Paule

Jacob Toth works with agarose gel, a medium that allows separation of DNA fragments based on molecular weight when a voltage is applied.

Challenges slow cannabis research despite rapidly expanding industry

Marijuana’s illegality continues to pose problems for those trying to learn more about the plant’s potential uses and dangers.

by Amanda Paule

George shows festival-goers different parts of the hemp plant.

A hemp harvest festival buzzes with freedom in the heart of New York

The 22nd annual Harvest Festival and Freedom Fair celebrates a new era for New York hemp growers.

by Amanda Paule

Compounds in cannabis can contribute to greenhouse gases, studies find

Legalizing marijuana could lead to more pollution. Why the smell of weed could be bad for the planet.

by Amy Nakamura

Health Matters

Marijuana has proved useful in treating a host of ailments including PTSD, but smoking and vaping pot still contribute to lung disease -- and your risk of COVID-19.

Marijuana users' habits are changing during the coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus changes how college students smoke weed

As students are confined to their homes, many are upping their consumption of cannabis in order to keep themselves occupied.

by AJ Carrion & Erin Gavle

Sarah Stenuf was an Apache helicopter crew chief in the U.S. Army for four year. She was medically retired for seizures related to a traumatic brain injury and "adjustment disorder", which was later reclassified as PTSD.

Veterans find relief in medical marijuana, advocate for legalization

National survey finds 80% of veterans support medical cannabis programs and local vets consider drug a lifesaver.

by Colleen Ferguson

Experts suggest higher THC levels can lead to marijuana addiction

Learn about the chemical balancing act between THC and CBD that is responsible for marijuana's potency.

by Lydia Herne

A photo illustration of a human head blurred by smoke.

Lack of regulation poses conundrum for THC vape users

Advocates say THC vaping’s link to lung illness should spur New York's regulation of recreational cannabis.

by Singdhi Sokpo

Candice Bina uses medicinal marijuana daily to help control her tics and back pain that are caused by Tourette syndrome.

How being a medical cannabis patient makes my life better

Commentary: Syracuse sophomore says more access to cannabis would benefit others with health conditions.

by Candice Bina

Policy & Law

The war on weed isn't over yet as state lawmakers struggle to unwind a century of restrictions against marijuana and look to other states for guidance.