New York State Decriminalizes Marijuana The state's Democratic Governor, Andrew Cuomo, br has signed a bill that will also get rid br of certain past offenses. When the law goes into effect in br 30 days, possessing less than br an ounce of marijuana will br bring about a $50 charge. If you're caught with one to two ounces, the penalty is $200. The bill also downgrades unlawful possession of pot from a criminal charge to a simple violation. Thanks to the bill, the state's Division of br Criminal Justice Services says nearly 25,000 br will see their criminal records wiped clean. Andrew Cuomo, via statement Marijuana advocates say the bill falls short of making the drug legal, but acknowledge that it is a step forward.