NYPD lightening up on marijuana arrests

Here's a blunt change of policy.

The NYPD is about to lighten up on marijuana smokers by issuing most offenders summonses, a move that will cut arrests in the city by about 10,000, officials said Thursday.

The policy shift, which will take affect Saturday, comes at a time when the state appears to be moving closer to legalizing marijuana — and as City Hall and the NYPD have been criticized over claims that blacks and Hispanics comprise about 85% of those arrested for pot possession, even though studies show whites smoke just as much as the other groups.

“We're committed to reducing disparity,” Mayor de Blasio said. “There's a lot that goes into reducing disparity.”

Cops will still be able to arrest marijuana smokers who have active warrants, those on parole or probation and those who are considered violent offenders.

In recent years, about 18,000 people have been arrested on low-level marijuana offenses, a number the city expects will drop by about 10,000 under the new policy, where, instead of being handcuffed, offenders will receive a summons with a fine of up to $100. The NYPD started to cut back on arrests nearly four years ago by issuing summonses to anyone found to be in possession of less than 25 grams of marijuana.

Officials say the move toward summonses for most smokers will save cops untold hours, giving them more time to spend on serious issues.