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The police officers long in charge of enforcing marijuana laws in New York City have new rules of engagement now that recreational marijuana is legal in the state.
Under the new law signed Wednesday, New Yorkers are now allowed to smoke marijuana in public settings where it's legal to smoke a cigarette -- a part of the law unique from other states that have so far legalized marijuana.
The NYPD issued a four-page memo the same day, outlining the department's new orders in responding to marijuana.
Smoking marijuana is no longer "a basis for an approach, stop, summons, arrest, or search" the department memo said. New Yorkers smoking marijuana on sidewalks or front stoops - they use as an example - are protected under the law.