With medical marijuana arriving in New York City this coming January, it seems like there's something extra herby in New York City's air lately.

Like when NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton recently party-fouled a young woman on Wall Street smoking a joint on her way to class-- at 8:30 a.m.

As he stated, "My security officer came up on one side, I came up on the other and tapped her on the shoulder... " He then suggested that the stoney-eyed and bushy tailed woman might "have a better academic day without the influence of [trees]."

She wasn't arrested, however, marking a relatively new trend of police often turning a blind eye-- or at least a non-punitive eye-- to public weed consumption. 

Let's not forget, it was hot news when almost a year ago Mayor De Blasio announced New York City police officers would no longer arrest people for minor possession of marijuana-- that is, 25 grams or less. 

But the buzz is that lots of New Yorkers have begun smoking in public since the decriminalization of under an ounce. 

Newsflash, world: New Yorkers have been blazing on stoops and corners for as long as there have been blunts, corners, and stoops. It just used to be that everyone was a lot more paranoid about doing it. 

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Now here are the facts: if you get caught smoking weed in public, you can be charged with misdemeanor drug possession. But officers have been motivated by top brass to exercise their best judgment.

The Commish recently told the crowd at New York Law School, "If you're smoking it in public we potentially arrest you, but we encourage officers to use the scale they're authorized to use-- warning, admonitions, summons, arrest if necessary."

So let that be a lesson to you, not-so-sneaky marijuana smokers of NYC: you're not in the clear smoking in public, although you're not necessarily going directly to prison either. 

What's the best bet? Smoke indoors. But if you're adventurous and not prone to paranoia, venture outdoors... just don't be impolite and idiotic about it.

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And yes, if burning out in the open is to be considered a NORML thing to do, than treat it as such. 

Seriously, it's that's simple. Just don't behave like an lunatic, if for no other reason than it minimizes your chances of getting the maximum punishment when Police Commissioner Bratton rolls up on you.

Check out Medical Marijuana Will Officially Arrive in January 2016 to NYC. 

[Feature Image Courtesy New York Daily News]