“New Mexico is sort of behind the curve when it comes to marijuana reform,” admitted the director of the state’s Drug Policy Alliance, Emily Kaltenbach in a recent interview. “It’s been needed for many years,” she said. But burgeoning public support and a mayor’s office controlled by a Democrat seem to be nudging the needle forward. On Monday, Albuquerque lawmakers considering marijuana decriminalization announced their proposal to amend the city’s criminal code. But skeptics doubt whether the proposal will really decrease demands on law enforcement as proponents claim.
Albuquerque Lawmakers Considering Marijuana Decriminalization
On Monday, city councilors Pat Davis and Isaac Benton introduced their proposal to change the way the Albuquerque handles minor cannabis possession violations. The proposed changes would replace punitive criminal convictions for marijuana possession with civil infractions.
Under the current criminal code, possession of up to an ounce of cannabis or of “paraphernalia” would strap a first-time offender with a $50 fine and a maximum of 15 days in jail, leaving the punishment largely up to the arresting officer. Fines and jail time for repeat offenders increases, up to 90 days.
The conviction also goes on the offender’s criminal record. As a result, a single arrest can hurt a person’s chances of getting housing or student loans for college. Marijuana convictions can even threaten a person’s chance of adopting a child, a consequence only in New Mexico and a handful of other states.
The proposal submitted Monday, however, would reduce penalties for possession to a $25 ticket with no prospect of jail time. In other words, possession of paraphernalia and/or up to an ounce of marijuana would result in a simple civil infraction. And nothing would go on a person’s record.
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