COOL OR NOT? New York to Relax Its Marijuana Laws, No Arrests for Possession of 25 Grams or Less

New York City is known for its strict laws regarding the possession of marijuana and their tendency to arrest innocent people for petty pot related crimes. This is set to change, the city willno longer issue arrests for individuals caught with 25 grams or less.

The plan was announced by city officials on Monday and is set to take effect on Nov. 19. So far this year, officers have arrested 24,000 people for marijuana possession.

“It’s still against the law,” said Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, while holding up a small plastic bag filled with oregano. “I’m not giving out ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ cards.”

Liberal Mayor Bill de Blasio is still against the legalization of marijuana.

“Any substance that alters your consciousness is a potential danger,” stated De Blasio.

Previously, anyone caught possessing marijuana would be arrested, brought to the police station, and booked. The new law will issue summons for small possession crimes, rather than arrests. A first time offense will carry a fine of $100, while repeat offenses could trigger fines as high as $300.

De Blasio felt the need to change the law as he felt it was too harsh and damning. In certain cases, an arrest for possession of marijuana could severely damage an individual’s future prospects.

“When an individual is arrested even for the smallest amount of marijuana, it hurts their chances to get a good job. It hurts their chances to get housing. It hurts their chances to qualify for student loans. It can literally follow them the rest of their lives,” De Blasio said.

A spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, Mason Tvert, issued a statement.

“Every year we see millions of violent crimes attributed to alcohol, and the evidence is clear that marijuana is not a significant contributing factor in such incidents,” Tvert said. “Yet our laws continue to steer adults toward drinking by threatening to punish them if they make the safer choice.”