new mexico cannabis Archives

New Mexico Senate Committee Approves Bill to Legalize Marijuana, Including Marijuana Stores

February 2, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

A Senate committee in New Mexico has voted in favor of legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana for those 21 and older.

Senate Joint Resolution 4, filed by Senator Ortiz Y Pino (D), was passed by the Senate Rules Committee by a vote of 4 to 3. Senators Lopez, Ortiz y Pino, Ivey-Soto, and Steinborn voted in favor of the resolution, with Senators Papen, Moores, and Pirtle voting against. The resolution would allow for the possession and personal use of marijuana by persons 21 years of age and older and for the regulation of the production, sale and taxation of marijuana in New Mexico.

“Today’s vote sets in motion the process to put the issue on a 2018 statewide ballot for voters,” said Emily Kaltenbach, New Mexico state director with the Drug Policy Alliance. “Marijuana prohibition in New Mexico has clearly failed. It hasn’t reduced use and instead has resulted in mass criminalization, appalling racial disparities, and enormous fiscal waste. Senator Ortiz y Pino’s resolution will allow our legislature to rethink how we can enhance the health and safety of all New Mexicans through sensible reforms.”

9 States Have Legalized Cannabis – Here Are the 5 States Most Likely to Become #10

February 13, 2018January 12, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Alaska, Massachusetts, Maine, California and Nevada have all legalized marijuana, and Vermont’s Legislature just approved a bill to join this list. Which state will be #10?

Below is a list (in no particular order) of the top five states we believe are the most likely to legalize marijuana next, becoming the 10th state in the U.S. to do so (which would make 20% of the entire country).

Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed in New Mexico Legislature

January 3, 2018January 3, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

A constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana has been pre-filed in the New Mexico Senate.

The legislation, filed by Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino, would amend the New Mexico constitution by adding a new section that reads: “Possession and personal use of marijuana shall be lawful by persons twenty-one years of age or older only if the legislature provides by law for:

A. the production, processing, transportation, sale, taxation and acceptable quantities and places of use of marijuana to protect public health and safety; and

B. any state revenue generated from the taxation of marijuana to be distributed to the general fund.”

New Mexico House Committee Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana

March 15, 2017March 15, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

A New Mexico bill that would decriminalize up to an ounce of marijuana, while reducing the penalty for larger amounts, has been approved by a House committee.

The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee gave approval to Senate Bill 258 with a unanimous vote. The proposal already passed the state’s full Senate earlier this month with a 33 to 9 vote.

According to its summary; “Senate Bill 258 proposes to amend 30-31-23 NMSA 1978 to reduce the penalties for possession of marijuana.” A person convicted of possessing one ounce or less of marijuana “would be issued a $50 penalty assessment; more than one ounce but not more than four ounces would be a petty misdemeanor [up to 15 days in jail]; more than four ounces but not more than eight would be a misdemeanor [up to a year in jail]; and more than eight ounces would be a fourth degree felony.”

New Mexico Senate Passes Legislation to Decriminalize Marijuana

March 3, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Legislation to decriminalize the possession of up to a half ounce of marijuana, while reducing the penalties for larger amounts, has been passed by New Mexico’s full Senate.

Senate Bill 258 was passed with a strong 33 to 9 vote, sending to the House of Representatives for consideration. If passed in the House it would be sent to Governor Susana Martinez who is opposed to marijuana law reform; however, a 2/3rds vote in the legislature can override a potential veto.

Under the proposed law, possessing up to a half ounce of cannabis would become a maximum fine of $50, whereas it is currently a misdemeanor punishable by up to 15 days in jail.

The measure would also reduce the penalties for possessing up to 8 ounces of cannabis.

The 5 States Most Likely to Legalize Marijuana Next (and by 2018)

February 21, 2017February 21, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Washington and Colorado legalized marijuana in 2012. Oregon and Alaska followed in 2014. In 2016, Massachusetts, Maine, California and Nevada joined the movement. Here’s a look at the five states most likely to be next, and by the end of next year.

Vermont

Last year Vermont’s Senate became the first in U.S. history to approve a measure (Senate Bill 241) that would have fully legalized cannabis for those 21 and older. Despite also being supported by the state’s attorney general and governor at the time, it failed to pass the House.

However, proponents are taking up the issue again in 2017, with the added momentum of four additional states having legalized cannabis just a few months prior.

The state’s new Governor Phil Scott unfortunately doesn’t support legalization, but is at least open to the idea, saying “I can appreciate the discussion around ending the prohibition of marijuana.”

New Mexico Marijuana Legalization Bill Advances Through House Committee With 3 to 1 Vote

February 6, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

New Mexico’s House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee has voted 3 to 1 to advance a measure to legalize recreational cannabis.

According to a legislative synopsis for the proposal (sponsored by State Representatives Bill McCamley and Javier Martinez); “House Bill 89 enacts the Cannabis Revenue and Freedom Act (CRFA); which establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for the legal production, processing and sale (to persons 21 years of age and older) of industrial hemp, marijuana and marijuana items”.

It must now go through two more committees before being sent to a vote in the full House. It’s passage in the House would send it to the Senate; passage there would put it to the desk of Governor Susana Martinez for final consideration.

Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed in New Mexico

January 16, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Legislation to legalize marijuana has been filed in New Mexico’s House of Representatives.

The Cannabis Revenue and Freedom Act was filed by Representative Bill McCamley (D-LasCruces). It would allow those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of cannabis, or up to two ounces at home. The possession of up to seven grams of cannabis concentrates (such as hash and oil) would also be allowed; as would the personal cultivation of up to six cannabis plants (up to 12 per household).

The proposal would establish a regulated system of cannabis retail outlets, supplied by licensed cultivation centers. Cannabis would be taxed at 15%; however, the measure leaves it open for cities and counties to enact an additional 5% tax.

Large Majority of New Mexico Voters Support Legalizing Recreational Cannabis

October 11, 2016October 10, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

A large majority of likely voters in New Mexico support legalizing cannabis for recreational uses, a new Albuquerque Journal Poll has found.

According to the survey, 61% of New Mexico voters likely to vote in the upcoming election are in support of legalizing cannabis for all uses for adults. Just 34% – roughly 1 in 3 – are opposed to the move, with 5% undecided. This indicates that if every undecided voter decided to oppose legalization, it would still have a double-digit lead (61% to 39%).

New Mexico Senate Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

February 10, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

A proposal to legalize recreational cannabis for everyone 21 and older has been passed by the New Mexico’s Senate Rules Committee. The vote on Senate Joint Resolution 5 was 6 to 4.

Although the committee was initially locked in a 5 to 5 vote that was along party lines, with Democrats in support, Republican Senator Ted Barela later changed his vote to pass the bill out of committee. It now moves towards a full Senate vote.

If passed by the state’s Senate, the bill introduced by Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-12-Bernalillo) would then move to the House of Representatives. Its approve in the House would place it on the November general election ballot, giving New Mexico voters final say.