LINDENHURST, NY - Local officials held a public hearing in Lindenhurst on Monday morning to discuss the recreational use of marijuana in New York.

The hearing, held at Babylon Town Hall at 10:30 a.m., was the fourth of four statewide hearings related to the topic following a well-attended Assembly hearing held earlier this year.

"Forty-one years ago, New York decriminalized non-public possession of small amounts of marijuana, making such possession a non-criminal violation punishable only by a fine," a letter announcing the meeting read. "Despite decriminalization in New York, a disproportionately high number of Black, Hispanic and Latino people continue to be arrested for marijuana-related offenses - particularly possession in public view - which often results in a criminal record that can prevent gainful employment and full participation in society."