ALBANY — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked state lawmakers Monday to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of cannabis, The New York Times reported.
The proposal followed prodding by lawmakers representing minority neighborhoods in New York City for the Democratic governor to take action on the issue, arguing that such young men are forced into the justice system unnecessarily and find their future job prospects hampered.
“For individuals who have any kind of a record, even a minuscule one, the obstacles are enormous to employment and to education,” New York Civil Liberties Union executive director Donna Lieberman said.
“When it’s really a huge number of kids in the community who go through this, and all have the same story, the impact is just devastating.”
According to The Times, the new legislation would seek to downgrade the possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana in public view from a misdemeanor to a violation. The maximum fine would be $100 for first-time violators.
The plan was endorsed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, saying it was consistent with a 2011 order by NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly for cops to issue violations — not misdemeanors — for small amounts of marijuana that officers see during a search.
“The governor’s proposal today is consistent with the commissioner’s directive, and strikes the right balance by ensuring that the NYPD will continue to have the tools it needs to maintain public safety — including making arrests for selling or smoking marijuana,” Bloomberg said Monday.
Cuomo’s call for action comes after a Queens College investigation found there were 50,684 arrests in 2011 for small quality marijuana possession — more than for any other offense and one seventh of all arrests.
Kelly attended the press conference in which Cuomo announced his proposal as a sign of support, describing it to The Times as a “balanced approach.”