Statement by BP Stringer on Governor Cuomo's Announcement on Marijuana-Related ArrestsI applaud Governor Cuomo's announcement that he will seek a change in state law making the possession of small amounts of marijuana in "public view" a violation rather than an arrestable misdemeanor. I first called for such a change in September 2011 and in February, the Manhattan Borough Board passed a resolution supporting the change. I urge the Legislature to follow Governor Cuomo's lead and pass legislation before the end of the session.
Since 1977, it has been a violation, rather than a misdemeanor, to carry small amounts of marijuana in your pocket in
For many years, the New York City Police Department has used the "public view" marijuana misdemeanor to arrest thousands of New Yorkers during stop and frisk encounters. The majority of these individuals are young men of color with no prior criminal record. Saddling these young people with criminal records creates obstacles to finding a job, securing Pell grants for higher education, and qualifying for affordable housing. In addition, the over 50,000 arrests for low-level marijuana possession last year--one out of every seven arrests in NYC-- cost the City and State of New York nearly $75 million in police and court costs. Hopefully, this legislation will begin to stem the devastation that stop and frisk as currently practiced has inflicted on too many of our neighborhoods.