Albany, NY – Wading into the debate over stop-and-frisk police tactics, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo plans to ask legislators on Monday for a change in New York State law that would drastically reduce the number of people who could be arrested for marijuana possession as a result of police stops.
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The governor will call for the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana in public view, administration officials said. Advocates of such a change say the offense has ensnared tens of thousands of young black and Latino men who are stopped by the New York City police for other reasons but after being instructed to empty their pockets, find themselves charged with a crime.
By deciding to get involved in the biggest law enforcement issue roiling New York City, Mr. Cuomo is again inserting himself into the affairs of the city in a way that has been welcomed by some and resented by others. He previously brokered the resolution of a dispute over legalizing street hails of livery cabs, and he ordered the city to stop requiring that food stamp applicants be fingerprinted.
In this case, the governor would be acting against the wishes of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
Read full article at New York Times
we are truly living in an amoral society……I think the next this he should do – and this should save lives; if we lowered the number of drunk driving arrests I was told the roads will be safer. So I propose raising the legal limit to say 2.8, that would eliminate drunk driving arrest completely!
I agree with Governor Cuomo’s program. And the fact that it is not Bloomberg view must mean that it is a really good idea. Cause Bloomie is a control freak and everything that he proposes is designed to take people’s liberty away. I don’t trust Bloomie one iota.
Just make it legal already! If everone would toke the world will be a really peaceful place. ONE LOVE