New York, NY— The New York City Council Progressive Caucus commends the advocacy of our members and colleagues in the New York City Council, led by Speaker Corey Johnson, on shining light on the racialized policing of marijuana in New York City. Due to this advocacy, Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that the New York Police Department must have a plan within 30 days to slash arrests for marijuana possession. This is an important first step – but our Members will continue to call for the full decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in a way that prioritizes black, Latinx, and people of color who have been arrested and remain incarcerated in New York due to the unnecessary criminalization of marijuana use and possession.
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