This week’s vote to legalize adult-use marijuana in New Mexico comes after years of failures.
In the past, the math wasn’t there. With some Democrats joining Republicans in opposing legalization, New Mexico watched while neighboring state Colorado raked in more than a billion dollars in revenue…and even heavily Republican states like Arizona approved legalization efforts too.
So, you might call it fitting that State Senator Katy Duhigg spoke before the vote. The Democrat was elected last year, defeating Republican incumbent Candace Gould.
“And I want to thank all the members of this body who have vigorously debated this issue, really been incredibly thoughtful about it. And I think that the bill that we have before us now is better because of that attention and that input from the members of this body,” said Duhigg.
While Republicans voted against the legislation, one Republican, Senator Cliff Pirtle, introduced a marijuana legalization bill of his own. He said it didn’t get adequate consideration and admitted he was most concerned about the process.
“And, you know my biggest fear isn’t that we’re passing a horrible piece of legislation. I think what’s most disappointing to me is the destruction of the legislature that we’ve witnessed here.”
Expect a lot more heated words in the year ahead. New Mexico is not expected to begin issuing adult-use marijuana licenses until April of next year.