A BILL THAT WOULD SOFTEN THE PENALTY FOR POSSESSING AN OUNCE OR LESS OF MARIJUANA IN NEW MEXICO CLEARS THE HOUSE AND SENATE … AND IS HEADED BACK TO THE HOUSE. THE MEASURE BARELY PASSED THE SENATE SATURDAY ON A 21-TO-20 VOTE. IF IT SURVIVES THE SESSION, IT MEANS GETTING CAUGHT WITH AN OUNCE OR LESS OF POT WOULD HIT YOU WITH A 50 DOLLAR FINE BUT NO JAIL TIME. HOWEVER, YOU’D STILL HAVE A MISDEMEANOR CHARGE ON YOUR RECORD.
ANOTHER BILL THAT PASSED OVER THE WEEKEND WOULD REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES OF MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES … AND PREVENT THOSE WITH DRUG-RELATED CONVICTIONS FROM WORKING AT THOSE DISPENSARIES.
