{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "222.20", "citation": "Penal Law § 222.20", "heading": "Licensing of cannabis production and distribution; defense", "text": ["§ 222.20 Licensing of cannabis production and distribution; defense.", "In any prosecution for an offense involving cannabis under this article or an authorized local law, it is a defense that the defendant was engaged in such activity in compliance with the cannabis law."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/222.20", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "In a prosecution for a cannabis offense under this article or an authorized local law, it is a **defense that the defendant’s activity complied with the Cannabis Law**. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/222.20", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}