Thousands of people carrying small amounts of marijuana may no longer be arrested or face criminal charges in New York City under a new policy.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton announced it Monday. Instead of being arrested on a misdemeanor charge, many people will get summonses and face non-criminal violations.
The change marks a significant shift in how the nation’s biggest city treats possession of up to 25 grams—about a sandwich bag—of pot. De Blasio has faced pressure to keep campaign promises to reduce the more than 20,000 such arrests per year.
State law makes it a misdemeanor to have up to 25 grams of marijuana in “public view.” The mayor and commissioner characterized stopping such arrests as an enforcement choice.
(AP)
2 Responses
Long overdue. The rich white suburbs implemented this decades ago.
It’s an easy bust, even easier than a speeding ticket, that’s why the cops like it so much.