2011 Sees Significant Increase In Marijuana Arrests
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
According to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services, marijuana arrests in the city are on the rise.
Officials said Wednesday that the number of people arrested for the drug has jumped about 20 percent from where it was this time last year, and the city is on track to reach a record 60,000 arrests in 2011.
The NYPD disputes the figure, saying the increase is more like 12 percent.
State Senator Mark Grisanti and Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries have introduced a bill to make open possession of small amounts of pot a violation instead of a misdemeanor.
The bill would prevent first time violators from having a criminal record.