STATE LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO PRE-FILE BILLS AS THE 2014 SESSION APPROACHES. AND NOW INCLUDED AMONG THEM IS A PROPOSAL CALLING FOR A PUBLIC VOTE ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IN NEW MEXICO. ITS SPONSOR, ALBUQUERQUE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR GERALD ORTIZ Y PINO, SAYS POT SHOULD BE TREATED JUST LIKE ALCOHOL: REGULATED, TAXED, AND RESTRICTED.
CRITICS SAY NEW MEXICO SHOULD WAIT UNTIL WE KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW COLORADO'S LAW IS WORKING. BUT ORTIZ Y PINO SAYS, IF APPROVED BY LAWMAKERS, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULDN'T GO BEFORE VOTERS UNTIL NOVEMBER.
