Bill > S03689

This bill amends the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law to protect tenants who are certified medical marijuana users from eviction specifically because of their medical cannabis use. The legislation establishes that a landlord cannot remove a tenant from a residential unit solely based on their certified medical use of marijuana, as defined in the Public Health Law. If a landlord attempts to evict a tenant and the tenant can demonstrate that the eviction is primarily due to medical marijuana use, the eviction can be challenged as a legal defense. However, the landlord can still proceed with eviction if there are other lawful grounds unrelated to medical marijuana use. The bill preserves the landlord's existing legal rights to recover possession of a residential unit through other legitimate means, ensuring that medical marijuana use alone cannot be the basis for removing a tenant from their home. This legislation provides important legal protection for patients who rely on medical marijuana for medical treatment, preventing them from facing housing discrimination based on their prescribed medical treatment.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3689