Join the Institute for Juvenile Justice Reform and Alternatives (IJJRA), VOCAL NY, the Drug Policy Alliance, and elected officials, Tuesday, September 27th at 1:30pm to celebrate the change in NYPD policy that could end tens of thousands of illegal arrests

What: Press conference applauding NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly's policy shift to enforce existing marijuana possession laws and to call for the passage of New York bill A.7620 (Jeffries)/S.5187 (Grisanti)

When: Tuesday, September 27th at 1:30pm

Where: 1 Police Plaza; 4,5,6 train to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall, J,Z train to Chambers street

Who: IJJRA, VOCAL NY, Drug Policy Alliance, New York Assembly Member Hakeem Jeffries, NYC Council Members Melissa Mark-Viverito and Jumaane D. Williams, advocates, and others

On Monday, September 19th, responding to mounting public pressure from advocates and elected officials, NYPD police commissioner Ray Kelly issued an operations order that clarified existing marijuana possession laws, instructing officers not to arrest people for marijuana in public view when complying with an officer's demand to "empty their pockets". This change could lead to the reduction of tens of thousands of arrests in New York City.

Marijuana has been decriminalized since 1977, making possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana a violation, punishable by a $100 fine, not arrest and jail. However, possessing or burning marijuana in public view is a criminal offense punishable by arrest and jail.

Since 1996, the New York City Police Department has made over 535,000 arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana. In 2010 alone, 50,383 people were arrested for simple marijuana possession, comprising nearly 15% of all arrests and making it the number one arrest in the City. Most of these arrests were not for smoking in public, but were the result of complying with an officer's demand to disclose contraband or from a police search and being improperly charged for "marijuana in public view" instead of the non-criminal violation offense. Although marijuana use is higher among whites, 86% of those arrested for marijuana possession were young Black and Latino youth.

Join the Institute for Juvenile Justice Reform and Alternatives, VOCAL NY, and the Drug Policy Alliance, together with elected officials, to applaud the Police Commissioner for his policy change, and to urge cooperation to ensure that officers follow this directive. This operations order can be made permanent, and apply to all of New York state, by passing New York bill A.7620 (Jeffries)/S.5187 (Grisanti). The NYC City Council has introduced a resolution supporting the passage of this legislation.

For more information, contact Evan Goldstein at the Drug Policy Alliance at egoldstein@drugpolicy.org or (212) 613-8038