New Mexico has always struggled to make ends meet. Currently, the state gets at least one third of its revenue from the gas and oil industry through permits. But it’s always been hard to get revenue for the state. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) took a leap and began looking for other ways the state could make revenue. And she has been pushing for adult-use cannabis legalization since the beginning of the year.
In a special session and continued urging for the governor and the general public, adult-use cannabis is now legal in New Mexico. Sales will begin April 1, 2022. The first year of retail sales could surpass $300 million in sales. This will generate large amounts of revenue to the state.
DEA Response
Despite the positive move in New Mexico, the El Paso DEA Division is now expressing legalization doubts. Special Agent-in-Charge Kyle Williamson (SAC) spoke out in a recent interview about New Mexico’s legalization.
“What has happened, in Colorado, for example, is for every $1 of tax revenue they’ve received from legalizing marijuana there was a $4.50 healthcare cost to the state. In the long run, I don’t believe the scales are balanced there.”
He continued to quote Colorado statistics, because they became the first state, along with Washington state, to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2012. “When Colorado legalized marijuana, for those around 12-years or older they had a 58 percent increase in marijuana usage. New Mexico ranks 5th in the nation for marijuana usage among minors. That’s not a very good combination.
“For children under the age of 18 who started using marijuana, one out six will become addicted,” SAC Williamson continued. “While a lot of people who use marijuana may not become addicted, most people who are addicted to cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine all started with marijuana.”
Debunking Myths
At the end of the interview, DEA SAC Williamson stated four things expected to happen in New Mexico after legalization.
- There will be an increase in minor usage
- Health care costs will increase
- Addiction to harder drugs will increase because cannabis is a ‘gateway’ drug
- Crime will skyrocket along with domestic violence and auto fatalities because of cannabis use.
Contrary to popular belief, many of the points SAC Williamson pointed out are false. And there’s research to back it up. A 2018 study showed that many of the fears that people had surrounding cannabis legalization simply didn’t happen. Many states actually saw many positives from having cannabis legalization. Not just an insane amount of revenue like in Illinois and Colorado, but other community benefits like increased security measures.
Whether New Mexico sees positive or negative effects from legalization will come with time. But cannabis is legal and it’s here to stay, despite what other people and agencies say. Let’s hope New Mexico sees the many positives that come with legalization.
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