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NCC News Explainer: Decriminalization What Does "Decriminalization" Mean?

The state legislature is considering making current law more lenient.

By Olivia Matalon

IN THE UNITED STATES, OVER HALF OF ALL DRUG ARRESTS ARE DUE TO THE POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA.

BUT IN 2019, 160,000 NEW YORKERS’ MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS WERE CLEARED.

THIS IS DUE TO THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK.

DECRIMINALIZATION STARTED IN AUGUST OF 2019. IT WAS PUT INTO LAW AS A WAY TO PREVENT THOSE POSSESSING ONLY CONSUMABLE AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA FROM GOING TO JAIL.

SO IN OTHER WORDS, YOU WILL NOT GET ARRESTED FOR POSSESSING 2 OUNCES OR LESS OF CANNABIS.

BUT IF YOU ARE FOUND WITH ANY CONSUMABLE AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA, YOU WILL BE FINED.

FOR POTENTIALLY, A LOT OF MONEY

THE POSSESSION OF LESS THAN .88 OZ IS A $100 FINE AT THE MINIMUM.

IF HAVING BEEN CONVICTED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS, IT’S DOUBLED.

HOWEVER, THE STATE OF NEW YORK ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK A BILL THAT MAY RAISE THE AMOUNT UP TO 3 OUNCES BEFORE THE FINE IS RAISED.

SO MAKE SURE YOU KEEP UPDATED ON HOW THIS POLICY CAN CHANGE–VERY SOON!

N.C.C. NEWS

           SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) —  Governor Andrew Cuomo has asked the New York State Legislature to allow residents to possess more marijuana before they get a jail sentence.  If passed, the bill could mean that more New Yorkers convicted of marijuana possession have their records erased.  See the video above for details on what marijuana decriminalization means.

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