Santa Fe Standard

The state Senate Public Affairs Committee recently voted to approve a cannabis-legalization bill that was presented by legalization proponent and medical cannabis patient New Mexico Sen. Jacob Candelaria (D-Albuquerque).

Sentiment was split along party lines with Republicans voting against and Democrats voting in favor of the bill. Those who spoke in opposition were concerned about health, safety and addiction issues.  

Candelaria fielded questions about driver impairment and said that even though there is no specific test for how much cannabis is in an impaired driver's system, there will still be arrests for driving under the influence. Law enforcement officers already have methods to determine impairment. 

New Mexico Sen. Jacob Candelaria (D-Albuquerque) | Wikipedia

New Mexico state Sen. Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) says that he is concerned about cannabis products being marketed to children, citing the recent flavored e-cigarette trend. Senate Minority Floor Leader Stuart Ingle (R-Portales) raised questions about who would be allowed to grow cannabis and how workplace accidents would be handled.

New Mexico state Sen. James White (R-Albuquerque) referred to the Colorado bi-annual report Monitoring Health Concerns Related to Marijuana in Colorado, saying that his opposition stems from there.

One question raised by Democrats regarded growing at home. Currently, the bill allows licenses for those who want to grow and sell on a retail scale but does not have a provision to allow home grows for personal use. Possessing more than three female plants without a license is considered a fourth-degree felony.

The bill next moves, with several amendments, to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The House version of the bill has not been heard in committee yet. 

Last year, New Mexico Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her desire to see a comprehensive bill that addressed health and safety concerns.