Prosecution of Marijuana Ends in New York City

New York City ends marijuana prosecution

Cyrus Vance, Manhattan's District Attorney, announced yesterday that New York City ends marijuana prosecution. Starting today, prosecutors will not be filing charges for the possession and use of marijuana within the boundaries of New York City.

New York City Ends Marijuana Prosecution

This announcement was released in a press release on the Manhattan DA official website. The DA believes that there will be a 96% reduction in marijuana prosecutions in Manhattan per year.

Vance said in the press release:

"Every day I ask our prosecutors to keep Manhattan safe and make our justice system more equal and fair. The needless criminalization of pot smoking frustrates this core mission, so we are removing ourselves from the equation. Our research has found virtually no public safety rationale for the ongoing arrest and prosecution of marijuana smoking, and no moral justification for the intolerable racial disparities that underlie enforcement. Tomorrow, our Office will exit a system wherein smoking a joint can ruin your job, your college application, or your immigration status, but our advocacy will continue. I urge New York lawmakers to legalize and regulate marijuana once and for all."

Two Exceptions to the New Policy

Offenders that are observed selling marijuana or are caught with marijuana that is packaged for individual sale could still be charged with possession. This will occur if a case for sales could not be established. Additionally, those individuals that pose a threat to the public may receive charges for possession.

NYPD and the Office of Court Administration have all been given detailed information on the new policy.

The DA is also working with the public defense organization to proactively seal the convictions for marijuana possession and use by Fall 2018. Vance stated that he will continue to push for recreational legalization of marijuana in the state of New York.

DA Vance is also the DA who ended prosecution of charges for subway fare evasion and is active in criminal justice reform.

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