Home Political News HB 12 Moves to a Full Chamber Vote in New Mexico

HB 12 Moves to a Full Chamber Vote in New Mexico

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HB 12 Moves to a Full Chamber Vote in New Mexico

The New Mexico marijuana legalization bill that was popular among the general public has passed it’s second committee hearing. Wednesday the House’s Taxation & Revenue Committee voted to move HB 12 on to a full chamber vote. Marijuana legalization advocates, including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D). Gov. Grisham called for cannabis legalization as an essential step forward for New Mexican citizens as well as native tribes and sovereign nations in the state. 

House Bill 12

HB 12 became one of five legislative bills introduced into both the House and the Senate. However, HB 12 is the one that has received the most support and attention. Under this bill, citizens over 21 can possess up to two ounces of cannabis on them at any given point. It also allows for home growth and cultivation of plants. A person can have up to twelve plants, with six mature and six immature, and not violate the law.

There were some provisions and amendments added on to HB 12 during its discussion in the Taxation and Revenue Committee. The bill originally stated a legal recreational cannabis structure would be in place by October 2021. However, structure creation won’t begin until January 2022. This allows for recreational system creation and registration for sellers and distributors of medical cannabis to then sell recreational cannabis. For those who don’t sell medical cannabis and just want to sell recreational products, they can begin selling in September 2022. This helps established businesses and microbusinesses to take advantage of a new market. 

Another change shows how revenue funds will be funneled back into communities. Originally, HB 12 stated revenue would go into a community reinvestment fund and a low-income patient subsidy program to help out patients who can’t afford medication. While these accounts will still be created, they will need to have money put into them in future legislation sessions once revenue begins. 

Finally, there is new language about the regulation authority for the new market. This includes health and safety inspections of businesses, workplace and employment issues, and replacing fines for youth violations to a civil infraction penalty. 

Response

The general response from lawmakers has been positive. Some concerns originally brought up in the House’s Health and Human Services Committee are addressed in the new HB 12 changes. A full chamber vote will happen soon. Lawmakers are pushing for quick movement of HB 12. The current legislation session ends on March 20. All bills that haven’t had a decision made will have to begin anew in the next legislative session.

As far as the other legalization bills in the Senate go, they are waiting for their committee hearings. However, no dates are in the works. There’s a hope that HB 12 will pass the full House chamber and make its way to the Senate and Governor Grisham.

As more information becomes available, we will be sure to update you with the latest. Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.