New York City police may issue a ticket for small amounts of marijuana , officials said . The policy change will only affect arrests involving up to 25 grams of marijuana . The mayor said the old law disproportionately affected minority populations . A ticket has a lighter penalty than an arrest , police said .
New York City police may write a ticket for small amounts of marijuana , officials said . The policy change will only affect cases involving up to 25 grams of marijauna . The mayor said the old law disproportionately affected minority youth . A ticket has a lighter penalty than an arrest , police said .