Pubdate: Sun, 15 Mar 2015
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2015 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  http://www.abqjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10
Authors: Deborah Baker and Dan Boyd

SENATE OKS BILL TO REDUCE POT PENALTIES

Having Less Than 1 Ounce Means a Fine

SANTA FE - The Senate on Saturday voted to lessen penalties for 
possessing small amounts of marijuana, while the House voted to clamp 
down on medical marijuana providers.

The bill to decriminalize the possession of an ounce or less of 
marijuana squeaked out of the Senate on a vote of 21-20 and went to 
the House, with a week to go in the legislative session.

Under the bill, an offender would be ticketed and fined $50 for 
having an ounce or less of the drug.

Possession of drug paraphernalia likewise would be treated with a 
ticket and a $50 fine.

Penalties also would be lessened for possession of up to eight ounces 
of marijuana. While it would remain a misdemeanor, offenders would 
not face jail time.

Under Senate Bill 383, having more than eight ounces of marijuana 
would remain a fourth-degree felony.

Supporters said the changes would ease the burden on police agencies, 
jails and the court system, freeing up money for use elsewhere.

"This is not legalization. This is decriminalization of less than one 
ounce," said sponsor Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces.

Opponents said the legislation marked a step toward legalization.

"I think this bill opens that door," said Sen. William Burt, R-Alamogordo.

The House, meanwhile, voted 34-24 to approve a measure that would 
require employees of licensed medical marijuana providers to pass 
criminal background checks. It went to the Senate. Some Democratic 
lawmakers blasted the legislation, saying it could place a stigma on 
working in the medical pot industry.

"This is inventing a solution for a problem that does not exist," 
said Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Mesilla Park.

But Rep. Paul Pacheco, R-Albuquerque, the sponsor of House Bill 527, 
said lawmakers need not wait for a scandal to occur before enacting 
such a policy.

"I think what we're trying to do is take a preemptive step to make 
sure the program stays steady and there are no problems with it," Pacheco said.

If approved, the bill would require the Department of Health to adopt 
rules around the background checks. But it also says certain 
drug-related felony convictions would permanently disqualify an 
employee from working for a medical marijuana dispensary.

There are currently 387 employees working for 23 different licensed 
providers in the state's Medical Cannabis Program, Pacheco said 
during Saturday's debate.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom