Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The two lawmakers hope public opinion is different this time around in order to sway other legislators and Gov. Susana Martinez to legalize recreational marijuana.
There are two similar bills, one in the House and one in the Senate. They would legalize small amounts of marijuana, regulate it and tax it. The Democrats have control of the House and Senate for this legislative session in Santa Fe, which gives the bills a better chance of getting through the committee process.
If the measures pass both chambers, the lawmakers sponsoring them — Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Las Cruces, and Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque — are hoping Martinez would change her mind about the issue. In the past, she said would veto any bill legalizing recreational pot.
"This would be another way in which we could being approaching her and convincing her that this is something that could be done, that many other states are doing," Ortiz y Pino said. "If we don't get on board we're missing an enormous opportunity. But it's going to take the public talking to her."
Legalizing recreational marijuana would lead to economic, supporters say. With New Mexico's budget deficit, it would be a great way to raise revenue if that's where the money would go.
Supporters also say it would bring in $500 million in revenue every year, would create 11,000 jobs for New Mexicans and would take the $400 million paid to illegal drug dealers and put it in the hands of law-abiding business owners.
"We are sending $400 million a year to drug cartels in Mexico, and they are using that money to murder people," McCamley said. "If we pass the bill this year and the governor signs it, we're going to be taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of the hands of drug cartels and putting it in the hands of legitimate business people."
It would eliminate the more than $30 million taxpayers spend every year on prosecuting people for petty marijuana crimes.
The Albuquerque Police Department says it is against legalizing marijuana for several reasons. One, APD officers believe it will increase DWIs and substance-related crimes. APD also may need to invest in new costly breathalyzers that can detect marijuana.
With a staffing shortage as it is, APD is also afraid this will eliminate a huge chunk of people in the community from being able to apply for the department. Recruits can't test positive and be a police officer, and APD says Denver is having that problem right now.
In a brief statement Wednesday Martinez spokesperson Mike Lonergan said, "The Governor does not support legalizing drugs."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Marijuana
Author: Kai Porter and Danielle Todesco
Contact: KOB 4
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: KOB 4
There are two similar bills, one in the House and one in the Senate. They would legalize small amounts of marijuana, regulate it and tax it. The Democrats have control of the House and Senate for this legislative session in Santa Fe, which gives the bills a better chance of getting through the committee process.
If the measures pass both chambers, the lawmakers sponsoring them — Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Las Cruces, and Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque — are hoping Martinez would change her mind about the issue. In the past, she said would veto any bill legalizing recreational pot.
"This would be another way in which we could being approaching her and convincing her that this is something that could be done, that many other states are doing," Ortiz y Pino said. "If we don't get on board we're missing an enormous opportunity. But it's going to take the public talking to her."
Legalizing recreational marijuana would lead to economic, supporters say. With New Mexico's budget deficit, it would be a great way to raise revenue if that's where the money would go.
Supporters also say it would bring in $500 million in revenue every year, would create 11,000 jobs for New Mexicans and would take the $400 million paid to illegal drug dealers and put it in the hands of law-abiding business owners.
"We are sending $400 million a year to drug cartels in Mexico, and they are using that money to murder people," McCamley said. "If we pass the bill this year and the governor signs it, we're going to be taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of the hands of drug cartels and putting it in the hands of legitimate business people."
It would eliminate the more than $30 million taxpayers spend every year on prosecuting people for petty marijuana crimes.
The Albuquerque Police Department says it is against legalizing marijuana for several reasons. One, APD officers believe it will increase DWIs and substance-related crimes. APD also may need to invest in new costly breathalyzers that can detect marijuana.
With a staffing shortage as it is, APD is also afraid this will eliminate a huge chunk of people in the community from being able to apply for the department. Recruits can't test positive and be a police officer, and APD says Denver is having that problem right now.
In a brief statement Wednesday Martinez spokesperson Mike Lonergan said, "The Governor does not support legalizing drugs."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Marijuana
Author: Kai Porter and Danielle Todesco
Contact: KOB 4
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: KOB 4
