SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Activists have submitted thousands of petition signatures to try to force a November vote in Santa Fe on decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana.
ProgressNow New Mexico and Drug Policy Action on Tuesday submitted petitions bearing more than 7,100 signatures. They need at least 5,763 valid signatures from registered city voters to force a vote on their proposal.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the Santa Fe proposal mirrors one which the groups are trying to get on the ballot in Albuquerque. The proposal would make the penalty for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $25.
Possession of an ounce or less of marijuana in Santa Fe now is a petty misdemeanor for the first offense.
