A RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BILL INTRODUCED AT THE LEGISLATURE BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE JAVIER MARTINEZ ON THURSDAY WOULD ALLOW THE DRUG TO BE SOLD IN LICENSED STORES IN NEW MEXICO. CITIES AND COUNTIES COULD OPT OUT OF THE SALES IF THEY SO CHOOSE.
THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN REPORTS HOUSE BILL 356 WOULD SET UP A LICENSING THAT FAVOR SMALL BUSINESSES. IT WOULD ALSO TAX THOSE WHO BUY RECREATIONAL POT A NINE PERCENT TAX. THE BILL WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SEAL CERTAIN CRIMINAL RECORDS RELATED TO CANNABIS AND ALLOW ANYONE CURRENTLY JAILED FOR OFFENSES INVOLVING POT TO BE RECALLED OR DISMISSED.
REVENUE FROM RECREATIONAL POT SALES WOULD BE USED FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY GRANTS FOR WORKFORCE TRAINING, AS WELL AS TREATING SUBSTANCE MISUSE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS.
