As New York’s legal cannabis market continues to expand, state officials have launched a new public education campaign aimed at helping young people and the adults in their lives better understand cannabis and its potential risks.
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) on Monday unveiled Cannabis Honestly, a statewide initiative designed to provide clear, practical, and evidence-based information about cannabis to youth, parents, caregivers, educators, and community organizations.
The campaign follows a year-long Listen and Learn effort that included 23 facilitated conversations with more than 450 young people, parents, educators, and community leaders across the state. According to OCM, those discussions helped shape the campaign’s messaging, tone, and educational resources.
Participants said young people are often exposed to conflicting information about cannabis and want trustworthy answers. Parents and caregivers said they need practical guidance for discussing cannabis at home, while educators and community organizations requested accessible resources to support prevention and education efforts.
“As New York’s regulated cannabis market continues to mature, public education becomes even more important,” said OCM Executive Director John Kagia. “Cannabis Honestly reflects OCM’s commitment to making trusted, evidence-informed information available to every community across the state.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said adolescence is a critical period of brain development, making it especially important for parents and caregivers to have open conversations about the risks associated with cannabis use.
“The Cannabis Honestly campaign was carefully and thoughtfully designed to equip parents and caregivers with the tools they need to have real-world conversations with their children about cannabis,” McDonald said.
Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said the campaign will help families make informed decisions while supporting public health education and prevention efforts statewide.
Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham added that as New York’s cannabis market grows, it is increasingly important that both young people and adults understand the potential risks of cannabis use, particularly for those under age 21.
State officials say the campaign offers educational resources intended to encourage informed decision-making and support conversations about cannabis in homes, schools, and communities across New York.
