New York: 87% fewer cannabis arrests in Manhattan and Brooklyn

Cannabis is illegal in the State and City of New York, but the debate over its legalization has been going on for some time. Not long ago, it pitted the current governor of New York State, Andrew Cuomo, against his rival Cynthia Nixon who defended cannabis regulation in a spirit of social justice. It pointed the finger at the racial and social discrimination fueled by prohibition. The governor is now considering legalization, and tolerance policies have been put in place by prosecutors and the New York City Police Department. These policies have helped reduce arrests and prosecutions for cannabis from 87% in Manhattan and Brooklyn, two neighborhoods particularly hard hit by discrimination.

City-wide

Last May, an investigation by the New York Times showed the extent of racial disparities in cannabis arrests in New York City. Citywide, black and Hispanic people are respectively eight and five times more likely to be arrested than white people. In Manhattan, the trend is even more pronounced, with people of color arrested 15 times more often than white people. The proportion of people of color arrested is around 87%, a figure that has remained stable for several years. according to sociologist Harry G. Levine.

Back in 2014, the city's mayor, Bill de Blasio, had ordered a reduction in arrests for simple possession and a concentration of police efforts on public consumption. This decision had resulted in a reduction of a few tens of thousands of arrests compared to his predecessor. Following the New York Times investigation, the mayor declared his intention to put an end to unnecessary and discriminatory arrests, and asked the police department to draw up an action plan to this end. In June, the department announced that it would more than halve the number of arrests for public consumption. Since September, the new policy has been in effect, with police now tolerating public consumption and possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis, despite the plant's illegality.

At the same time, Manhattan and Brooklyn District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. announced that his office would stop prosecuting possession and consumption cases as of August 1. Since this decision, 87% fewer people have been charged in Manhattan and Brooklyn than in the rest of the country. to previous year's figures for the months of August, September and October. Combined with the new police policy, this represents 94% fewer arrests over the month of October from 2017 to 2018.

Legalization in New York State

Last January, the Governor commissioned a report from the Ministry of Health on the costs and benefits of regulating cannabis in the state. After weighing the pros and cons, the experts recommended cannabis regulation. The governor therefore convened a working group to prepare for legalization. He then convened a series of public hearings to hear suggestions and concerns from civil parties on cannabis regulation. These hearings will be used to prepare the legislative text.

Andrew Cuomo was not originally a supporter of cannabis legalization. In fact, he had described the plant as a gateway drug. It was under pressure from his rival and while campaigning for re-election that he considered regulating cannabis. The U.S. congressional elections are fast approaching, and legalization advocates now represent a significant electoral force. Some are counting on a Democratic victory to push the issue forward, both in Congress and in state governments. Nevertheless, the issue is increasingly popular with Republicans.