US: New Mexico prepares to legalize recreational cannabis

The governor of the US state of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, announced at the website government official their support for the legalization of recreational cannabis in New Mexico for adults over 21. The proposal does not provide for self-cultivation, but decriminalizes up to three plants at home. The Senate has already voted in favor.

Michelle Lujan Grisham has included cannabis legalization in her legislative agenda for 2020 and discussed the importance of establishing a well-regulated and fair cannabis market, announced the website Marijuana Moment. The governor also stressed that legalization can be a factor of economic development that will create thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of revenue for necessary public services throughout the state.

The proposal does not allow self-cultivation, but decriminalizes the cultivation of up to three plants. The project also includes the elimination of the tax on gross receipts from the sale of medical cannabis, the establishment of free home care and the creation of a subsidy program for low-income patients to have access to medical cannabis.

Cannabis sales would be allocated at 9%, with proceeds directed towards the subsidy program and an “Equal Opportunity Investment Fund for the Cannabis Industry” to support entrepreneurs from communities that have suffered from the war on drugs, a “community grant reinvestment fund” and a workplace training program, among others.

Legalization aims to generate around 11.000 new jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, regulation and retail, where sales reach $620 million in the fifth year, according to a tax analysis.

“Legalization and regulation will allow for one of the largest commercial harvests in the country, generating an estimated 11.000 to 13.000 jobs for New Mexicans in every corner of the state,” the statement said. Senator Jacob Calendaria.

While current legislation passed by the Committee can be amended, recent polls show that New Mexico residents are largely in favor of changing the general policy. Three out of four residents who participated in a state-funded survey said they supported legalization.

If the process proceeds as Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's plans, the final legalization draft will be delivered to the governor at the end of the session and, upon her signature, New Mexico will become the 12th state to legalize cannabis for recreational.

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Featured Image: Dimitri Bong on Unsplash