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Bloomberg supports fewer marjiuana arrests

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday he supports Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to reduce arrests for possession of marijuana. March 17 file photo. UPI/Monika Graff

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Published: June 4, 2012 at 2:31 PM

NEW YORK, June 4 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday he supports Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to reduce arrests for possession of marijuana.

Cuomo's proposal involves decriminalizing possession of 25 grams of marijuana or less. The penalty would include a maximum fine of $100 for first-time violators and no more than 15 days in jail, The New York Times reported. Smoking marijuana still would be a crime.

"The governor's proposal ... is consistent with [police Commissioner Raymond Kelly]'s directive and strikes the right balance by ensuring that the NYPD will continue to have the tools it needs to maintain public safety," Bloomberg said in an official statement.

Topics: Michael Bloomberg, Andrew Cuomo, Raymond Kelly

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