New York City cops have been told to end arrests due to smoking marijuana in public.
A City Hall aide told CNN that NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has directed the New York Police Department to stop arresting people for public marijuana consumption.
Although recreational cannabis remains illegal in the city, the NYPD will now give out summons to appear in court instead of being placed under arrest.
The mayor is also putting together a group of city officials tasked to begin the groundwork for full cannabis legalization. The task force will examine issues such as dispensary zoning and and public health campaigns.
“With marijuana legalization likely to occur in our state in the near future, it is critical our city plans for the public safety, health and financial consequences involved,” said de Blasio. “While I still have real concerns we must work through, it isn’t difficult to see where this is headed, and any responsible policymaker must prepare for that eventuality. My focus now will be helping to craft the critical regulatory framework that must come before legalization is realized.”
The decision was made shortly after Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance announced that his office would stop prosecuting citizens for marijuana possession and public smoking cases starting August 1.
“The dual mission of the Manhattan DA’s office is a safer New York and a more equal justice system,” Vance said Tuesday. “The ongoing arrest and criminal prosecution of predominantly black and brown New Yorkers for smoking marijuana serves neither of these goals.”
Both actions are the latest in New York’s loosening of laws related to marijuana. City officials have also altered medical marijuana laws to include taxi drivers, PTSD patients, and even pets.
https://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetru...people-for-smoking-marijuana/?search=cannabis
A City Hall aide told CNN that NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has directed the New York Police Department to stop arresting people for public marijuana consumption.
Although recreational cannabis remains illegal in the city, the NYPD will now give out summons to appear in court instead of being placed under arrest.
The mayor is also putting together a group of city officials tasked to begin the groundwork for full cannabis legalization. The task force will examine issues such as dispensary zoning and and public health campaigns.
“With marijuana legalization likely to occur in our state in the near future, it is critical our city plans for the public safety, health and financial consequences involved,” said de Blasio. “While I still have real concerns we must work through, it isn’t difficult to see where this is headed, and any responsible policymaker must prepare for that eventuality. My focus now will be helping to craft the critical regulatory framework that must come before legalization is realized.”
The decision was made shortly after Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance announced that his office would stop prosecuting citizens for marijuana possession and public smoking cases starting August 1.
“The dual mission of the Manhattan DA’s office is a safer New York and a more equal justice system,” Vance said Tuesday. “The ongoing arrest and criminal prosecution of predominantly black and brown New Yorkers for smoking marijuana serves neither of these goals.”
Both actions are the latest in New York’s loosening of laws related to marijuana. City officials have also altered medical marijuana laws to include taxi drivers, PTSD patients, and even pets.
https://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetru...people-for-smoking-marijuana/?search=cannabis
