Thirty-five years ago New York state lawmakers decided it wasn’t against an arrestable offense to have a small amount of pot on you, as long as it remained out of site. Still, however, more than 39,000 people were arrested for low-level pot possession charges last year. While this marks a drop of 22%, it indicates there is still major work to be done.
Continue reading “NYC Marijuana Arrests Down 22%”
Marijuana Arrests are Not Future Felons
In response to the more than 500,000 people arrested in New York City for public possession of marijuana over the last 15 years, Human Rights Watch recently released a report, “A Red Herring: Marijuana Arrestees Do Not Become Violent Felons,” demanding a closer look at the allocation of resources to pot arrests.
Harlem Drug Gangs Fractured By Arrests
Two gangs that circled the Robert F. Wagner Houses projects in Harlem have been “brought down” in a series of arrests, according to the New York Times. The gangs had set up shop in the projects, selling drugs on the playgrounds and in entryways. They allegedly used the community center to “divide their proceeds.” Now, though, officials say residents of the area can feel a little safer. Continue reading “Harlem Drug Gangs Fractured By Arrests”
Will New York Decriminalize Marijuana Possession?
It hardly seems likely in the city where cops virtually trick people into showing them their pot, but Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg seem to agree on decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana. Continue reading “Will New York Decriminalize Marijuana Possession?”
Robberies Put Long Island Pharmacies On Edge
Pharmacy robberies have climbed all across the country, and in Long Island alone, two such robberies resulted in six deaths. The drugs of choice are narcotic pain killers, like oxycodone. They are highly addictive, and some addicts are willing to do just about anything to keep their supply coming. Continue reading “Robberies Put Long Island Pharmacies On Edge”
Former NYPD Detective Admits Fabricated Drug Charges Against Innocent People Were Common
In an agreement with prosecutors, former NYPD narcotics detective Stephen Anderson a testified in court that numerous officers and even supervisors in the division he worked for would set up innocent people in order to make arrest quotas. Charged with planting cocaine on four men in a Queens bar, Anderson admitted he was trying to help our a fellow narcotics detective who’s numbers had been low. Continue reading “Former NYPD Detective Admits Fabricated Drug Charges Against Innocent People Were Common”
In NYC, Pot Possession Has Many Potential Repercussions
The NYPD has lightened enforcement of marijuana laws when it comes to personal possession. But not everyone is on the same page. As this article in the New York Times shows, parents are losing their children to the foster care system on allegations of neglect, often when they were found with a trivial amount of marijuana. Continue reading “In NYC, Pot Possession Has Many Potential Repercussions”
NYC the “Marijuana Arrest Capital of the World”
The title is nothing to brag about but it’s official, with recent numbers stating the Big Apple gets about 15% of its arrests from marijuana offenders, the city is officially the “marijuana arrest capital of the world,” according to the Drug Policy Alliance. Continue reading “NYC the “Marijuana Arrest Capital of the World””
New York Considering Overdose Prevention Laws
According to a story in the Huffington Post this week, accidental overdoses are up across the country, surpassing death by motor vehicle accidents in 16 states including New York. The legislature is now looking at two very different bills to address the growing problem. Continue reading “New York Considering Overdose Prevention Laws”
Some Worry New NY Drug Laws are Too Lax
Last year, New York changed some of the most historically harsh drug sentencing laws in the country. Known as the Rockefeller drug laws, they were enacted during the tough on crime 1970s. However, tough on crime wasn’t necessarily effective, locking people up for lengthy sentences on non violent crimes. Continue reading “Some Worry New NY Drug Laws are Too Lax”