Bill legalizing recreational marijuana in New Mexico advances to Senate floor
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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Legislation to legalize cannabis in New Mexico advanced Thursday toward a decisive Senate floor vote under a framework that emphasizes government oversight of pricing and supplies along with social services for communities where the criminalization of pot has led to aggressive policing.
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a Democrat-sponsored bill on a 5-4 vote.
House Bill 12 underwent a few regulation changes in committee. The Regulation and Licensing Department will get discretion to select a plant limit, require independent testing of potency and prohibit producers from stacking licenses to prevent monopolies.
The Senate has until noon Saturday to send a legalization bill to Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. She has said she would sign the bill if it makes it to her desk.
Legislators discarded a Republican-sponsored proposal that stressed low taxes and cheap consumer prices to stamp out illicit marijuana.
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New Mexico would be the 16th state to legalize recreational marijuana. Projections show that recreational cannabis sales in the state could total as much as $318 million in the first year alone.