New York State Gov. Cuomo plans to ask lawmakers Monday to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot in a move to reduce stop-and-frisk arrests, it was reported Sunday night.
“This proposal will bring long overdue consistency and fairness to New York State’s Penal Law and save thousands of New Yorkers, particularly minority youth, from the unnecessary and life-altering trauma of a criminal arrest and, in some cases, prosecution,” an administration official said in an email to The New York Times.
The NYPD made 50,684 arrests last year for possession of a small amount of marijuana, more than for any other offense, according to an analysis of state data by Harry Levine, a sociologist at Queens College.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly last fall ordered officers not to arrest suspects who were stopped and found to have small amounts of marijuana in their pockets.
(Source: NY Daily News)
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4 Responses
Fool.
It is one thing to redirect law enforcement to concentrate on more serious offenses. But the very idea of making it legal is sheer idiocy. Next, the minimum amount to be considered drug possession will climb upward until it is completely legal, followed by all the “more serious” drugs. Each and every drug is injurious to the human body and brain, and all have extreme negative consequences. Any review of the scientific aspects of drug use, even small amounts, suggests that the substance should be completely banned, never allowed under any circumstances. (Discussion of medical uses is not included here.)
Kelly was correct in redirecting his police officers to focus their efforts elsewhere. But to legalize it is akin to the legalization of other immorals, which our dear governor has already done. Hashem, protect us.
Idiotic.
Achbara lav ganva.
#1, since when is it the proper role of government to protect people from themselves? What gives it the right to ban something just because it’s injurious?
#3, Like banning Large sodas, for instance.