Legalizing marijuana: could New York be next? - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

Legalizing marijuana: could New York be next?

Love it or hate it, one thing for sure smoking marijuana is not the same crime it used to be. In fact in New York City it has been decriminalized to the point that it's a slap on the wrist if you're caught with a small amount.

But with Colorado and Washington State legalizing possession, some wonder if New York may soon follow suit.

Attorney Arthur Aidala said the floodgates are now open for the discussion of legalizing the green leaf in the Big Apple and beyond. 

"It is definitely within the realm of possibilities that there will be an initiative put on the ballot either this November or next November regarding marijuana being legal," Aidala said.

But he said that despite state laws, there still may be consequences for possession on a federal level. 

"Federally speaking the United States of America still says marijuana is illegal," he said. "The confusion is going to be if New York, New Jersey or Connecticut says it's okay to sell small amounts of marijuana is the FBI going to come in and start making arrests?"

People we spoke to had mixed reactions to the prospect of freely possessing pot in New York. 

So while pro-legalization advocates have high hopes for change, lighting up and inhaling in New York could get you a summons.