NEW YORK - It's no longer a crime to possess small amounts of marijuana in New York State.
A new law hit the books Wednesday calling for fines of up to $200 for anyone caught with between one and two ounces of pot.
The offense would have previously been charged as a misdemeanor.
The law also expunges the records of people with low-level marijuana offenses.
But police in the city say they will still be cracking down on people who smoking pot in public.
"It's decriminalized, it's not legal. It's still against the law to smoke marijuana or possess marijuana. So enforcement action can be taken. So I suggest don't smoke marijuana in public or posses it in public," said NYPD Chief of Department Terrance Monahan.
Records tied to low-level marijuana cases will be automatically sealed under the law.
It's estimated the policy will lead to the sealing of more than 200,000 convictions.