This week we asked readers their thoughts on Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark’s move urging the NYPD to issue tickets instead of making arrests for recreational marijuana use. 

I think I see a lot of people smoking marijuana these days. If you try and arrest everyone with marijuana, it’s going to be a whole bunch of people in jail. Nobody would be left out here because too many people smoke it. Half the people in the country want it legalized. You can’t throw them all in jail. I think there are more serious crimes going on.
Jackie Fadalla
Norwood

 

I think in one way she’s right, and in another way she’s wrong because marijuana is good for some, but it’s not good for everybody. If they are using it as medication, fine. It could help ease the pain of so many, but some take too much and cause accidents. Anybody who misuses it should pay a penalty.
Juliet Blankson
Bedford Park

 

It’s long overdue because it ties up the courts. It’s not really that harmful. I think alcohol is more harmful and I think marijuana should be legalized, yeah. There should be no jail time whatsoever. Maybe something like a summons would be good.
Bill Michaels
Bedford Park

 

[T]hose who use small amounts of marijuana shouldn’t be prosecuted with a heavy penalty, like jail time. It’s not a big crime, maybe a fine like $25. That’s my opinion. Nowadays, I see people do it more openly, but with the respect of others, and they have it around. It’s very open now. I believe that police would then be able to concentrate on the illegal guns, that’s the big issue. If you see most of the people who consume marijuana are often alone and doing it and not committing bigger crimes. They’re relaxed.
Joe Montenegro
Norwood

Yes, I agree with it because it’s a minor drug; it’s really not a big thing. Other states are using it for medical purposes and gaining a lot of profit from it. It’s helping the economy and helping people that have issues. I say it’s all about willpower because I have not done any other drug, because of my willpower. They have to understand, it’s not always a stepping-stone to harder drugs. If people have the strength to say no to certain things, they learn how to just better themselves and learn the science behind the harder drugs. There are harder drugs that are more associated with crime.
Jessica Lugo
Norwood