State legislators have introduced a bill decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana in public view. The bill comes on the heels of a WNYC investigation about alleged illegal searches during marijuana arrests.
The new bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn and State Senator Mark Grisanti of Buffalo, wouldn’t legalize marijuana possession — but instead of being arrested for smoking or displaying marijuana in public view, a person would receive a ticket and a fine. Currently, possessing a small amount of marijuana isn’t a crime unless you’re smoking or carrying it in public view.
The rationale for the new law is that it might slow the skyrocketing marijuana arrests rates that disproportionately hit the city’s black and Latino neighborhoods. +
IF YOU SUPPORT THIS PAGE OR NY RIGHTS IN GENERAL PLEASE REBLOG. WE NEED MORE BILLS LIKE THIS AND LESS RESTRICTION. THIS HAS TURNED INTO A POLICE CITY.
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