7 Advocates Working To Change Marijuana Laws In New York City

In New York City, more people are arrested for marijuana possession than for any other crime, at a cost of $600 million in taxpayer money over the last decade.

Since 2002, about 500,000 people have been arrested for marijuana possession in New York State, according to the Drug Policy Alliance. The vast majority of those arrests — 440,000 — took place in New York City, where more people are arrested for marijuana possession than for any other offense. Of those arrests during the Bloomberg administration, 87% were of blacks or Latinos.

The Drug Policy Alliance, in conjunction with the Marijuana Arrest Research Project, also found that marijuana arrests have also cost the city $600 million in taxpayer money over the last decade.

Countless people arrested on a marijuana charge have had their lives permanently altered, with many struggling to find or keep employment with an arrest on their record. But public opinion is rapidly changing: Polls show a majority of the country -- 52% -- supports legalization, and 82% support medical marijuana statewide.

1. Senator Liz Krueger

2. Alfredo Carrasquillo, Civil Rights Organizer at VOCAL-NY

3. Harry Levine, co-founder of Marijuana-Arrests.com

4. Assemblyman Karim Camara

Standing w @KarimCamara @BPHAcaucus to urge reform of in-plain-view marijuana possession.

Daniel Squadron

@DanielSquadron

Standing w @KarimCamara @BPHAcaucus to urge reform of in-plain-view marijuana possession.

/ Via

5. New York Times editorial columnist Jim Dwyer

6. Council Members Jumaane Williams, Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Brad Lander

Proud to stand with @theCCR, @TishJames and others to oppose the city's bid to delay #StopandFrisk reforms. #Floyd

Jumaane D. Williams

@JumaaneWilliams

Proud to stand with @theCCR, @TishJames and others to oppose the city's bid to delay #StopandFrisk reforms. #Floyd

/ Via

.@mmviverito on city hall steps calling for end 2 NYC's marijuana arrests crusade targeting youth of color

VOCAL-NY

@VOCALNewYork

.@mmviverito on city hall steps calling for end 2 NYC's marijuana arrests crusade targeting youth of color

/ Via

7. gabriel sayegh, director of the Drug Policy Alliance’s New York office

Skip to footer