Mike Bloomberg’s solution to NYC’s illicit cannabis sellers sounds like his excessive stop-and-frisk policy – New York Daily News

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg has proposed a controversial solution to the issue of illicit cannabis sellers in the city: a policy eerily reminiscent of his infamous “stop-and-frisk” policy. During his presidential campaign, Bloomberg had proposed a “weed enforcement” initiative that would deploy officers to areas prone to illegal marijuana sales and conduct random searches of individuals suspected of involvement in the illicit trade.

This approach, which Bloomberg himself has called “tough on crime,” has drawn criticism from a variety of sources, with many comparing it to his stop-and-frisk policy of the early 2000s. The policy, which allowed police officers to stop and search individuals they deemed suspicious, was widely criticized for disproportionately targeting people of color and was eventually ruled to be unconstitutional.

Now, with his proposed “weed enforcement” initiative, Bloomberg is once again calling for an aggressive approach to policing, raising the specter of a return to the days of stop-and-frisk. Critics argue that this approach is unlikely to be effective in addressing the problem of illegal cannabis sales and could lead to further racial profiling and injustices.

At a time when states across the country are legalizing cannabis, Bloomberg’s “weed enforcement” initiative could be viewed as an attempt to take a step backward. The policy would not only be antithetical to the progress the country has made on cannabis reform, but could also lead to a repeat of the injustices wrought by the stop-and-frisk policy.

Despite its potential drawbacks, Bloomberg’s proposed “weed enforcement” initiative has gained some support among those who argue that the illegal marijuana market is a significant source of crime in the city and needs to be addressed. However, others point to evidence that decriminalizing cannabis has had a positive effect on reducing crime, and that a more targeted approach to policing is the better way forward.

At present, it remains unclear whether or not Bloomberg’s proposed “weed enforcement” initiative will be adopted. While it may have the support of some, its detractors argue that it could be an unwelcome return to the days of stop-and-frisk, and a step in the wrong direction for the progress made on cannabis reform.