Squadron and Camara: Marijuana Law Would Weed Out ‘Unfair’ Arrests
Will Bredderman
State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblyman Karim Camara rolled out a new marijuana decriminalization bill that they say will end “unlawful, racist” arrests of young black and Hispanic males.
The pair’s Fairness and Equity Act would reduce public possession of marijuana from a misdemeanor offense to a fine-bearing violation–stopping thousands of yearly arrests, and leaving those caught and charged without a criminal record.
The pols pointed out that New York State decriminalized private possession of marijuana in 1977, but claimed the continued prosecution of public pot possession has led to sky-high conviction rates for youth of color making it difficult for them to obtain jobs and housing later in life.
“It addresses a problem that is not new: The deep and racial disparity in marijuana arrests,” said Mr. Squadron. “The status quo is unacceptable.”
Read more at http://observer.com/2014/07/squadron-and-camara-marijuana-law-would-weed-out-unfair-arrests/#ixzz370uAVy00
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