The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
November 11, 2014

New York City to Ease Response to Marijuana Possession After Arrests Rise Under de Blasio 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
New York City is changing its response to marijuana possession. Police
Commissioner William Bratton said instead of being arrested, people
caught with small amounts of marijuana may receive a summons to appear
in court and pay a fine if found guilty. But Bratton also noted
exceptions to the policy.

Bill Bratton: "Under the new policy, persons found to be in possession
of this amount of marijuana, 25 grams or less, may be eligible to
receive a summons in lieu of arrest. So a summons instead of being
arrested. However, I point out there are exceptions to the provisions of
this new department policy. It should be made very clear that persons
who are burning and/or smoking marijuana in public will still be subject
to arrest."

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio criticized low-level marijuana
arrests during his campaign, but according to the Drug Policy Alliance,
police conducted more arrests for marijuana possession from March to
August, under de Blasio, than during the same period the previous year
under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Eighty-six percent of those arrested for
marijuana possession in the first eight months of this year were
African-American or Latino.

 

.