When the New Mexico legislature convenes on January 16 for a short, 30-day session, they will be considering two marijuana proposals left from the 2001 legislative session: a marijuana decriminalization bill and a medical use bill. Both bills, introduced at the request of Republican Governor Gary Johnson, were moving through the legislative process when time ran out in 2001. Governor Johnson has repeatedly called for an end to the criminalization of non-violent drug users, and for the legalization of marijuana.
Both measures were initially proposed by the New Mexico Drug Policy Advisory Group, a group of experts appointed by the governor to advise him on drug policy matters. A statewide poll taken in 2001 indicated that 65% of the voters in New Mexico favor the decriminalization of minor marijuana offenses, and 78% support medical use.
For more details, contact NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup, or visit a special web site set up by the Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation to monitor these and other New Mexico drug law reform proposals at www.improvenewmexico.org.