New York pot arrests - New Yorkers will no longer be arrested for small possession of marijuana; police officers would now reach for ticket books rather than their handcuffs.
Reports indicate that Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton are set to announce the new New York pot arrest policy at a news conference scheduled to take place at the New York Police Department Headquarters.
The policy change would see city cops issue tickets rather than arrest people caught with small amounts of marijuana. Details about the new New York pot arrest policy have not been disclosed. There are many questions about how much cannabis would be considered small enough not to warrant arrest. It is also still unclear when New York authorities will officially enact the law.
Mayor de Blasio is a renowned critic of the NYPD's arrests and mistreatment of residents, especially minorities, who are caught with small amounts of marijuana. While running for office, Mayor de Blasio vowed to make changes to the city's laws in relation to this issue.
The new New York pot arrest policy is expected to have a major effect in the city, where more than 23,000 people have been arrested for possessing marijuana.
Reports indicate that a majority of the marijuana-related arrests in New York have been made in the inner cities among blacks and Latinos.
Under the new policy, cops would issue court summons to people caught with small amounts of marijuana, instead of arresting and transporting them to the police station.
The new New York pot arrest policy comes after the Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson announced his decision to stop prosecuting cases involving minor marijuana charges.
"Too many young people are being arrested for low-level drug charges that leave a permanent stain on their records for what should be a violation, Thompson said.
Reports indicate that since the Thompson made the announcement in July, the borough has dismissed thousands of cases involving low-level marijuana charges. Meanwhile, the judge has expressed some concerns about the new New York pot arrest policy. He noted that too many summons may be issued without the current safeguards.
While many residents of the city have welcomed the new pot arrest policy, some critics are not so optimistic that cops would stop arresting for small amounts of marijuana. Others have accused state officials of attempting to sweep the problem 'under the rug.'
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