THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL APPARENTLY WON’T HAVE THE SIX VOTES NEEDED TO OVERRIDE THE MAYOR’S VETO … BUT COUNCILORS MONDAY NIGHT APPROVED AN AMENDMENT TO ANYWAY THAT REDUCES THE PENALTY FOR POSSESSING AN OUNCE OR LESS OF MARIJUANA. LIKE SANTA FE, IT SCALED IT DOWN TO 25 DOLLARS WITH NO JAIL TIME.
EMILY KALTENBACH WITH THE DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE IN SANTA FE SAYS OFFICERS THERE CAN STILL CHARGE SOMEONE UNDER STATE LAW … WHICH CARRIES POSSIBLE CRIMINAL PENALTIES. SHE SAYS MARIJUANA CASES FILL UP COURT DOCKETS AND PUT PRESSURE ON THE COURTS … SHE SAYS THAT SHOULDN’T BE HAPPENING. KALTENBACH SAYS THEY’RE ALSO HEARING CASES FOR POSSESSION OF AN OUNCE OR LESS THAT GO TO COURT ARE OFTEN DISMISSED.
