It Could Happen To You.

"In 1977, small amounts of marijuana were decriminalized in the New York State Legislature," says Kassandra Frederique of the Drug Policy Alliance. "So you can have up to 25 grams, which is seven-eighths of an ounce, on your person, and that would be a violation similar to jaywalking or traffic tickets." It's something that could carry a $100 fine, she explains, and is only an "arrestable offense . . . if it's in plain view or if it's burning."*
And yet, try explaining that to the NYPD. Their boss might have admitted to having smoked weed himself, as did Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance (and nearly every candidate running for his job in 2009). But Mayor Bloomberg has not only forced New York City's finest to match his predecessor in marijuana arrests, he has also made Rudy "Broken Windows" Giuliani look like Dr. Timothy Leary by comparison.

Consider that, according to a study by Professor Harry Levine of Queens College, Giuliani "only" averaged arresting 24,487 people a year for marijuana. By 2008, Bloomberg was averaging 36,069 pot arrests annually.
In 2010, according to the Drug Policy Alliance, he arrested 50,383 people—"more than capacity seating in Yankee Stadium."
In 2011, he's on track to arrest more than 60,000 by year's end.
Now, while you're still sober, take a wild guess: What color and gender were most of those arrestees?

*emphasis added by me


[Source]

That first paragraph is so important.  I find myself talking to my people and the conversation always goes something like this: Them: "I'm on probation."  Me: "For what?"  Them: "For some bud."  Me: "Where you burning?"  Them: "Nah they searched me." Me: "You could've beat that case."

Knowing the law, and knowing your rights may not keep you from spending the night in The Bookings, but it will keep you from coping out to a charge you can beat.  Folk need to act like they know we're at war, and learn the rules of engagement.