Starting September 1, 2018 the New York Police Department will issue criminal summonses to most people caught smoking marijuana in public instead of arresting them, announced Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James O’Neill. Under the new policy Officers will still arrest people with prior arrests for violent crimes, parolees, drivers and some others. Additionally, Manhattan’s district attorney had already announced his office will stop prosecuting most low-level marijuana cases Aug. 1.
Instead of being arrested for smoking weed in public they will receive a summons, have to go to court and pay a $100 fine.
The new policy builds on previous efforts by @NYCMayor & the NYPD to strike a balance on marijuana enforcement between fairness & safety. In 2017 the NYPD made 64% fewer arrests for marijuana possession from 2010, going from 53k in 2010 to less than 19k.
The state’s top health official said June 18th that their report on marijuana will recommend legalization. Lawmakers are will adjourn for the year this week so it will be 2019 at the earliest before the issue is considered.