Drug Policy Alliance Statement on NM Senate Committee Tabling Marijuana Legalization Bill

Santa Fe, NM – Below is a statement from Emily Kaltenbach, New Mexico State Director for the Drug Policy Alliance, in response to the Senate Judiciary Committee tabling the marijuana legalization bill late last night:

“We are very disappointed that a bill that would have done the right thing for New Mexicans—an overwhelming majority of which support marijuana legalization—was tabled.

As a result, the communities that have been most impacted by prohibition will continue to be left out in the cold, along with those that could have benefitted from the investment made in substance use disorder treatment and education, not to mention the boost this would have provided to New Mexico’s economy.

This fight is far from over, but it’s unfortunate that New Mexicans will have to continue to wait.”

In a statewide poll conducted in November, 73% of New Mexicans supported cannabis legalization. Support reached 90% among Democrats, and 81% among Independents. And fully 49% of Republicans supported cannabis legalization in the poll.