NYPD to ticket for low-level marijuana possession

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton announced a new policy Monday to stop arrests in most cases of low-level marijuana possession.
Under the current law, a person who has less than 25 grams of marijuana in sight will be arrested for a misdemeanor. Starting next week, that same offense will be punished by issuing a ticket.
The mayor and police commissioner say the policy would cut down on racial profiling as well as minimize the effect a marijuana summons may have on someone's future.
The NYPD says over the next few days, officers from the police department will be trained on how to handle the new procedure.
The new policy is set to go into effect on Nov. 19.