Election Day brings new hope for marijuana policy reform

 

Last update: November 12, 2018

 

On Election Day, New Mexico voters elected a new governor — U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham — who supports legalizing and regulating cannabis for adults! She explained on the campaign trail, “I am committed to working with the Legislature to move towards legalizing recreational cannabis in a way that improves public safety, boosts state revenues, and allows for New Mexico businesses to grow into this new market.”

Also on November 6, 2018, 56% of Michigan voters approved a ballot initiative to end marijuana prohibition, making it the ninth state to tax and regulate marijuana. (A 10th state, Vermont, has legalized marijuana possession and cultivation but does not yet allow regulated sales.)

New Mexico voters want to follow suit: A September 2018 Albuquerque Journal Poll found 60% of New Mexico voters support legalizing and regulating marijuana for adults’ use. But New Mexico lacks a voter initiative process. The only way to replace marijuana prohibition with thoughtful regulation in the Land of Enchantment is via the state legislature (directly or by lawmakers putting the issue on the ballot).

Let your state lawmakers know you want New Mexico to follow the lead of nine other states by replacing marijuana prohibition with legalization, regulation, and taxation.

Albuquerque decriminalizes marijuana


On April 12, 2018, Albuquerque’s mayor signed an ordinance that decriminalizes simple possession of marijuana under city law.

The ordinance reduces the city’s penalty for under an ounce of marijuana to a $25 civil fine. Police Chief Mike Geier voiced his support, saying, “This new legislation allows officers to focus on violent crime, property crime and drunk driving.”

Albuquerque joined two other localities in supporting decriminalization. In November 2014, voters in Santa Fe and Bernalillo Counties — representing 40% of the state’s population — approved advisory questions asking their elected officials to support decriminalization. The questions won with 73% support in Santa Fe County and 59% in Bernalillo County.

The legislature adjourned its 2018 session in February, and bills to decriminalize and regulate marijuana (SB 141, SJR 4, and HB 312) did not even receive a vote.

Let your state legislators know you want the state follow Albuquerque’s lead and stop criminalizing marijuana consumers when the legislature returns to work next year.

Medical marijuana


New Mexico is one of 32 states (plus D.C.) that have removed criminal penalties for the medical use of marijuana. As of October 2018, there were 58,789 registered patients served by dozens of licensed nonprofit producers. In addition, 7,341 patients have licenses to cultivate cannabis for themselves.

In a ruling made public on November 2, 2018, a judge overturned the 450-plant cap imposed on licensed nonprofit producers, finding it was arbitrary. Many patients had suffered from a lack of supply and high prices due to the cap.

For information on New Mexico’s medical marijuana program, including information on qualifying conditions and how to become a patient, please visit the New Mexico Health Department’s information page.

Decriminalization


While New Mexico’s marijuana laws are less draconian than those of most states, the state still criminalizes its residents for using a substance that is safer than alcohol. Possession of one ounce or less of marijuana for nonmedical purposes is punishable by a $50-100 fine and up to 15 days in jail. A second offense, or a conviction for possession of more than an ounce, can lead to a fine of up to $1,000 and a prison term of up to one year.

In 2015, the Senate approved a bill to replace criminal penalties for possessing up to an ounce of marijuana with a $50 civil fine, but the House failed to take a vote on the measure.

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