Pubdate: Wed, 28 May 2014
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2014 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  http://www.abqjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10
Author: Dan Boyd
Page: C1
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

2 INITIATIVES AIM TO CUT POT PENALTY

Petition Drives for Referendums Launched in Duke City, Santa Fe

SANTA FE - Voters in Albuquerque and Santa Fe could decide whether to 
reduce criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana 
if separate petition drives launched Tuesday succeed in the two New 
Mexico cities.

The voter initiative process, which requires supporters to obtain a 
large number of signatures, is a new approach in the debate over 
marijuana policy.

Legislative proposals to both reduce criminal penalties for 
possession of small amounts of pot and to legalize recreational use 
of the drug have failed during the last two years at the state 
Capitol, a fact not lost on backers.

"We've seen that Santa Fe, like Congress, takes its time on some 
issues," said Pat Davis, the executive director of ProgressNow New 
Mexico, a liberal advocacy group that is one of two organizations 
leading the petition drive.

But opponents of the proposal to reduce criminal penalties for 
possessing small amounts of pot say the voter initiative would, if 
approved, lead to a confusing legal patchwork.

State Rep. Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque, a former Bernalillo County 
Sheriff 's captain, pointed out marijuana remains illegal under 
federal law - it's listed as a heavily restricted type of controlled 
substance - and said state law would continue to be stricter than the 
city ordinances.

"It's a helluva mess they're trying to get into," Rehm said Tuesday.

Under the terms of the proposals for Albuquerque and Santa Fe, 
possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, 
would become punishable by a fine of no more than $25. Such citations 
would be made a "lowest law enforcement priority" and offenders could 
not be faced with jail time.

A first offense of possessing an ounce of marijuana or less is 
currently punishable by fines and up to 15 days in jail, according to 
state law.

Backers of the marijuana decriminalization push said Tuesday they 
hoped the questions could be put on the general election ballots for 
Albuquerque and Santa Fe in November, though they could also be voted 
on in a special election.

Albuquerque's voter initiative process has been put to frequent use 
in recent years. Voters in the state's largest city approved an 
increase in the minimum wage and a change to the city's requirement 
for runoff elections, but voted down a proposed anti-abortion 
ordinance. All three were initiated by petition drives.

In order to have the question put before Albuquerque voters, 
proponents would have to obtain at least 11,203 valid signatures.

The initiative process is set up differently in Santa Fe, where 
supporters would need to collect at least 5,673 signatures total from 
voters residing in each of the city's five council districts.

A Journal flash poll of statewide registered voters conducted earlier 
this month found 40 percent of those surveyed believed marijuana 
should be legalized, while 47 percent said it should not be and 13 
percent said they were not sure.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom