Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em: Manhattan DA to stop prosecuting marijuana possession and smoking cases

The district attorney in Manhattan says he will no longer prosecute marijuana possession and smoking cases.

District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr., in a news release, says the move will “help reduce inequality and unnecessary interactions with the criminal justice system.”

An analysis by Vance’s office found the approach could reduce Manhattan marijuana prosecutions by 96 percent, from approximately 5,000 annually to approximately 200. The change takes effect Aug. 1.

“The dual mission of the Manhattan D.A.’s Office is a safer New York and a more equal justice system,” Vance said in a news release. “The ongoing arrest and criminal prosecution of predominantly black and brown New Yorkers for smoking marijuana serves neither of these goals.”

Vance added: “We are in discussions with the Mayor and Police Commissioner to consider limited exceptions to this policy, the goal of which is to radically reduce the criminal prosecution of these offenses.”