It's official the Manhattan district that coincides with New York, decriminalizes possession and use of cannabis
Manhattan is one of the five boroughs of New York City in the United States. The other four being the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. The borough of Manhattan coincides with the county of New York. But the latter does not function as a county per se. Indeed, it has no power and depends entirely on the municipal authority. And effective today, the Manhattan District Attorney is announcing that people who own or use cannabis will no longer be prosecuted.
Manhattan sets an example in New York
According to Press release from Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., people who use or possess cannabis will no longer be prosecuted as of August 1, 2018. The office says it plans to reduce prosecution for cannabis use by 96% annually .
“Our research found virtually no public safety reason for the arrest and prosecution of marijuana use. And no moral justification for the intolerable racial disparities that underpin the app, ”Vance said. “I urge New York lawmakers to legalize and regulate marijuana once and for all. "
In light of this policy change, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has said it plans to enact all previous convictions en masse in fall 2018. But, there is one exception to the new rule: cases against dealers who are under investigation for a violent crime.
Vance, commissioned a report on the effect of legalization in jurisdictions that have adopted it. Subsequently, he announced his new no-prosecution policy in May and put it into effect today ...
A policy not followed by neighboring districts
This policy is part of the marijuana reform effort currently underway in New York City. The prospect of full legalization looms on the horizon ... Some believe that the race to green is the result of the challenge of incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo, who recently qualified cannabis as a drug entry ... In addition, its competitor and ex-actress Cynthia Nixon, calls for full legalization.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez recently announced a dramatic reduction in marijuana prosecutions, dropping 91% between January and June 2018, since the decriminalization of cannabis use and possession. But, so far, the other three boroughs of New York City have not followed suit.
Representatives from the Bronx and Staten Island said marijuana is still illegal in their districts. And that they will continue to apply the law. A spokesperson for Queens DA said they too will continue to prosecute cannabis possession and consumers ...
