December 01, 2012 (Press-News.org) In early June, New York governor Andrew Cuomo put forth a novel proposition: decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in public throughout the state. Being caught in public with 25 grams or less of pot is currently a class B misdemeanor in New York, punishable by up to 90 days in jail. Individuals convicted of publicly possessing a small amount of marijuana also face a permanent mark on their record, which could affect future employment prospects.
Under Cuomo's proposal, public possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana would become a "violation," which is not technically a criminal offense and carries only a fine. Initially, the governor garnered wide support from local politicians and even New York City's police commissioner. Ultimately, however, the Republican-dominated State Senate defeated the decriminalization measure. Even so, with marijuana legalization increasingly springing up across the country, it may be only a matter of time before Cuomo's proposal is resurrected.
Reasons behind the decriminalization efforts
In 2011, New York City police made 50,684 arrests for possession of a small amount of marijuana. Low-level marijuana offenses accounted for more arrests than any other crime: one in seven arrests made in New York City last year were for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
Proponents of Governor Cuomo's decriminalization measure claim that these arrests take a disparate toll on young men in predominantly black and Latino neighbors. The Bloomberg administration's NYPD "stop-and-frisk" policy results in many young individuals being stopped by police and asked to empty their pockets, leading to what some lawmakers call "needless" arrests for small amounts of marijuana. These marijuana arrests can result in charges that make it more difficult to secure a job -- particularly in a tough economy. Considering the huge number of marijuana arrests made in New York City, the effect on entire neighborhoods can be significant.
As an added bonus, proponents claim decriminalization would save enormous law enforcement resources that are currently being used to prosecute what is, all things considered, a minor offense.
Decriminalization advocates aren't done in New York
There is little doubt that American attitudes are changing when it comes to marijuana use and the efficacy of current drug policies. According to Gallup's latest annual crime survey conducted October 6-9, 50 percent of U.S. adults support marijuana legalization, while only 46 percent oppose it. In the November 6 election, voters in two states -- Washington and Colorado -- approved the legalization of recreational marijuana.
While marijuana decriminalization failed this time in New York, it's unlikely the proposition is off the table for good, or even for long.
"Many of the large issues, social issues, they don't happen over a period of weeks," said Governor Cuomo in a speech to reporters about his marijuana bill. "It takes a period of months, sometimes a period of years."
Even Senate Republicans who blocked the bill -- all of them white, and most of them from suburban or rural districts, areas where government crime data shows only one in ten of the state's marijuana arrests take place -- are not taking a hard-line stance against returning to marijuana discussions. Dean Skelos, the Republican Senate majority leader, told the New York Times it was possible the Senate would revisit the marijuana issue next year, and denied that he felt any political pressure to block the decriminalization bill.
It may only be a matter of time until public marijuana possession is no longer a crime in New York. But, until that time comes, a marijuana conviction can have serious implications for your future; if you have been arrested for marijuana possession, you should protect your rights by contacting an experienced New York criminal defense attorney.
Article provided by George F. Hildebrandt, Attorney at Law
Visit us at www.georgehildebrandt.com
Budding New York Pot Proposal Goes Up in Smoke, But May Rise from Ashes
Recent proposed changes to New York City laws on marijuana failed to gather enough support, but future changes may be possible.
2012-12-01
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Headed Off to College? You Might Not Leave Your Juvenile Record Behind
2012-12-01
Making a few youthful mistakes is simply a part of growing up. Most of us learn from errors made at a young age and simply leave the past behind. But one recent Pennsylvania appeals court decision could make it increasingly harder for those convicted of juvenile crimes to move on with their lives.
Ruling Means Teenager's Juvenile Record Will Be Provided to University
In Pennsylvania, a juvenile adjudication of delinquency is not the same thing as a criminal conviction. However, a record of juvenile delinquency can have many of the same effects as a criminal conviction ...
Hats Off to the National Taxpayer Advocate Office for Her Comments Regarding the Reasonable Cause Exception
2012-12-01
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) introduced the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) to bring taxpayers that have used undisclosed foreign accounts and undisclosed foreign entities to avoid or evade tax into compliance with United States tax laws.
Entering into the program would potentially reduce the civil and criminal penalties that these taxpayers would face for not reporting the income and disclosing their foreign financial accounts. The OVDP has resulted in over $4 billion in collections since implemented and has made it safe for many taxpayers to get ...
Nation's Highest Court Weighing Issue of Mandatory Blood Alcohol Testing for Suspected Drunk Drivers
2012-12-01
The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case from Missouri that, depending on the court's decision, could potentially affect the way that blood alcohol tests are performed around the nation.
The case
The case at issue concerns a Missouri resident suspected of driving while intoxicated. The defendant in that case, Tyler McNeeley, was initially pulled over for speeding in the wee hours of the morning on October 3, 2010. At that time, the officer noted several typical indicators of intoxication, including slurred words, a smell of alcohol and bloodshot eyes.
The ...
2012 Saw Major Changes to Tennessee DUI Laws
2012-12-01
In Tennessee, drunk driving is treated as serious crime. DUI offenses have always been punished strictly, but over the last year the state's drunk driving laws have gotten even tougher. During the 2012 session, state legislators passed a number of bills aimed at strengthening the penalties for people suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Changes to implied consent laws
The biggest change concerned the state's implied consent law. Under that law, drivers who are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving can, in some circumstances, refuse to take a breath ...
Drug-Detecting Dogs at Center of Two U.S. Supreme Court Cases
2012-12-01
When a person is accused of a crime, it can often be a time of great confusion. Sometimes the individual has never had any interaction with law enforcement before the arrest, and may feel that they can talk their way out of trouble. This almost never happens, as police have conducted very extensive investigations before making an arrest.
Certain crimes, especially drug crimes, often receive more attention from investigators. Officers may receive tips from confidential informants or may discover evidence of wrongdoing from others who are arrested. Police can use this ...
What to Do After a Car Accident
2012-12-01
When you are heading out for a drive, the last thing you expect is to be in a car accident. Many people have never been in a car accident and have no idea what they should do or what happens next. It can be difficult to stay calm immediately after an accident, as it can be difficult to stay calm immediately after an accident because your body gets flooded with adrenaline immediately upon impact. Compound the shock of the accident with the activity going on at the scene and it is easy to understand how you would become overwhelmed.
Here are some helpful tips that explain ...
Police Receiving Additional DUI Detection Training in South Carolina
2012-12-01
Drunk driving is one crime that often receives significant attention from both legislators and law enforcement. Legislators propose new rules that impose harsh penalties for those convicted, and law enforcement is aggressive in its effort to take drunk drivers off of local roadways.
In South Carolina, police in some communities received additional training on some new issues that are beginning to show up more frequently during DUI stops. As part of their investigation, officers may ask motorists if they have been drinking before they were pulled over, or if they have ...
South Florida Sees Uptick in Non-Motorist Accident Fatalities
2012-12-01
A rash of recent pedestrian and bicyclist accidents in South Florida has resulted in more deaths added to the state's already high non-motorist fatality rate. In the past few months alone, at least four people have been struck by vehicles and killed in the Manatee county metropolitan area, something that has bicycle/pedestrian advocacy spokesmen like Mike Lasche, executive director of Bicycle/Pedestrian Advocates and Florida Walks & Bikes, frustrated.
Florida has one of the highest bicycle and pedestrian accident fatality rates in the nation, due in no small part ...
Six Countries Publish Model FATCA Agreement
2012-12-01
The United States Department of the Treasury recently partnered with five other countries to publish a model intergovernmental agreement to implement provisions of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). FATCA is a federal law that contains provisions to enforce tax compliance among holders of foreign accounts and assets.
France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom joined with the United States to build an agreement that would help all countries join together to fight tax evasion while creating minimal burdens for countries trying to comply. All six ...
Cerebral Palsy and Other Birth Injuries
2012-12-01
According to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University, birth injury, sometimes called birth trauma, is a physical injury that can result during delivery. Often birth injuries can be quite complicated and can require prompt action to prevent problems from becoming more severe.
Some birth injuries are temporary and heal without lasting impact, while others are permanent and have significant, long-term effects on the lives of the child and his or her parents. Some birth injuries are unavoidable medical conditions for which no one is at fault, while ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained
Less intensive works best for agricultural soil
Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation
Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests
Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome
UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership
New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll
Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025
Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025
AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials
New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age
Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker
Chips off the old block
Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia
Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry
Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19
Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity
State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections
Young adults drive historic decline in smoking
NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research
Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development
This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack
FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology
In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity
Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects
A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions
AI helps unravel a cause of Alzheimer's disease and identify a therapeutic candidate
Coalition of Autism Scientists critiques US Department of Health and Human Services Autism Research Initiative
Structure dictates effectiveness, safety in nanomedicine
[Press-News.org] Budding New York Pot Proposal Goes Up in Smoke, But May Rise from AshesRecent proposed changes to New York City laws on marijuana failed to gather enough support, but future changes may be possible.