By Joe Anuta
City Comptroller John Liu wants to legalize marijuana possession in the city, although the proposal would likely have the least impact on Queens, which already logs the fewest arrests per capita than any other borough.
Liu, who is running for mayor, released a study last week advocating for taxing and regulating the sale of cannabis in order to keep young people out of prison and bring tax revenue into the city’s coffers.
“New York City’s misguided war on marijuana has failed, and its enforcement has damaged far too many lives, especially in minority communities,” Liu said. “It’s time for us to implement a responsible alternative. Regulating marijuana would keep thousands of New Yorkers out of the criminal justice system, offer relief to those suffering from a wide range of painful medical conditions, and make our streets safer by sapping the dangerous underground market that targets our children. As if that weren’t enough, it would also boost our bottom line.”
Liu’s office tracked arrests for low-level marijuana arrests by borough, and found that Queens clocked in 250 arrests per 100,000 people in 2012. It was the lowest figure out of the five boroughs, with the Bronx leading the pack at 914 per 100,000 people.
The former Flushing councilman’s proposals included legalizing possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana for New Yorkers 21 or older, legalizing medical marijuana and bringing the supply chain out of the black market.
According to Liu’s report, legalizing the drug would generate $413 million of annual economic activity for the community, which could go toward financing CUNY institutions to bring down tuition.
Because of federal laws, it is not clear where the marijuana would have to be grown, but it would likely have to be at least in New York state.
Any laws allowing the legalization of the drug would also have to be approved by the state Legislature.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
