The General
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State Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, will introduce a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana in New Mexico much like Colorado and Washington voters passed in 2012. New Mexico currently has a medical marijuana law that is much more restrictive than those in other states. Ortiz y Pino modeled his constitutional amendment on the legislation that just went into effect in Colorado. Colorado began allowing legal recreational marijuana sales on January 1 after voters passed the idea in 2012. Marijuana is regulated and taxed by the state in Colorado despite a federal prohibition.
The Albuquerque Senator expressed interest in such an effort last year during the legislative session. Still, he isn't very confident about it passing. "We are going to go ahead and do it. I'm not sure we will have the support to pass it this year, I can't imagine any Republicans voting for it, but it will be modeled on what Colorado has done," Ortiz y Pino told Albuquerque Business First. The federal government has largely said they will stay out of Colorado and Washington's way on enforcing federal laws on the matter except for warning the states about marijuana crossing state lines into other states where marijuana is illegal or on federal property.
"The whole point would be that it would be a step toward a more rational approach to a use of the substance, much as we do with alcohol now," Ortiz y Pino told the Albuquerque Journal. The state House passed a bill reducing penalties for possession of marijuana of less than one ounce in 2013. The Senate never took up the legislation. Two Republicans supported that legislation – Rep. Nate Gentry of Albuquerque and Rep. Terry McMillan of Las Cruces. Gentry, the minority whip, opposes a constitutional amendment according to the Albuquerque Journal. A constitutional amendment would not have to go to the governor for a signature. Which is a good thing. While a candidate, Gov. Susana Martinez opposed the state's medical marijuana law. After becoming governor, she said it was not worth trying to repeal it. She did later approve a bill creating a medical cannabis fund in 2012.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Nmtelegram.com
Author: Matthew Reichbach
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Senator wants voters to decide on marijuana legalization | New Mexico Telegram
The Albuquerque Senator expressed interest in such an effort last year during the legislative session. Still, he isn't very confident about it passing. "We are going to go ahead and do it. I'm not sure we will have the support to pass it this year, I can't imagine any Republicans voting for it, but it will be modeled on what Colorado has done," Ortiz y Pino told Albuquerque Business First. The federal government has largely said they will stay out of Colorado and Washington's way on enforcing federal laws on the matter except for warning the states about marijuana crossing state lines into other states where marijuana is illegal or on federal property.
"The whole point would be that it would be a step toward a more rational approach to a use of the substance, much as we do with alcohol now," Ortiz y Pino told the Albuquerque Journal. The state House passed a bill reducing penalties for possession of marijuana of less than one ounce in 2013. The Senate never took up the legislation. Two Republicans supported that legislation – Rep. Nate Gentry of Albuquerque and Rep. Terry McMillan of Las Cruces. Gentry, the minority whip, opposes a constitutional amendment according to the Albuquerque Journal. A constitutional amendment would not have to go to the governor for a signature. Which is a good thing. While a candidate, Gov. Susana Martinez opposed the state's medical marijuana law. After becoming governor, she said it was not worth trying to repeal it. She did later approve a bill creating a medical cannabis fund in 2012.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Nmtelegram.com
Author: Matthew Reichbach
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Senator wants voters to decide on marijuana legalization | New Mexico Telegram
