THERE IS AN EFFORT UNDERWAY IN SANTA FE AND ALBUQUERQUE TO LOWER THE PENALTIES FOR POSSESSING AN OUNCE OR LESS OF MARIJUANA. EMILY KALTENBACH WITH "DRUG POLICY ACTION" IN SANTA FE SAYS THEY WANT TO CUT THE FINES AND REMOVE THE POSSIBILITY OF JAIL TIME.
SHE SAYS THE FINE WOULD BE REDUCED TO 25 DOLLARS AND THE OFFENSE WOULD BECOME A CIVIL INFRACTION, LIKE A MOVING VIOLATION OR PARKING TICKET.
RIGHT NOW, A FIRST OFFENSE CAN CARRY A FINE OF UP TO 50 DOLLARS AND UP TO TWO WEEKS IN JAIL. KALTENBACH SAYS HER GROUP, ALONG WITH ANOTHER IN ALBUQUERQUE, HOPE TO GATHER ENOUGH SIGNATURES TO PUT THE PROPOSAL ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.
