cannabisnews.com: New Mexico Marijuana Bill Stalled for This Year New Mexico Marijuana Bill Stalled for This Year Posted by FoM on February 07, 2002 at 15:09:47 PT By Zelie Pollon Source: Reuters A bid to decriminalize marijuana in New Mexico backed by Republican Gov. Gary Johnson appears stalled for this year, legislators said on Thursday. Johnson, the nation's highest-ranking elected Republican to call for decriminalizing marijuana, has urged lawmakers to pass a package of six drug reform bills before he leaves office at the end of this year. Some of the other related reforms stand a chance of passage, supporters said, including measures to allow courts to impose mandatory treatment programs instead of jail terms for nonviolent drug offenses and to give judges more leeway in sentencing habitual drug offenders. But legislators who support the package said the most controversial bill--reducing punishment for marijuana possession to a fine rather than jail time--looks stalled for the rest of the 30-day session after a House committee last week declined to send it to the full House for debate and a vote. This year's session ends next Tuesday. "Chances are not good" for the bill, said Rep. Joe Thompson, Republican of Albuquerque. Supporters say they will keep pushing the bill, but it may be more difficult once Johnson is gone and cannot lend support from the governor's office, Thompson said. The center of controversy is House Bill 25, which would make possession of up to one ounce (28 grams) of marijuana a civil offense punishable by a $100 fine. It is currently a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee last week voted unanimously to table the bill. Gov. Johnson, a businessman who made his political name by cutting taxes, reducing state government and backing tougher law enforcement, stunned his state and his party with a public call three years ago for looser drug laws. He has since gained nationwide support from drug reformers by branding the US war on drugs an "absolute, miserable failure." To him, the drug war has made no significant dent in drug use but has instead wasted billions of dollars in taxes and left prisons overcrowded with nonviolent offenders. Johnson, elected to a second term in November 1998, is barred by term limits from running again. He will step down at the end of this year. Source: ReutersAuthor: Zelie Pollon Published: Thursday, February 7, 2002Copyright: 2002 Reuters UnlimitedRelated Articles:Legislature Should Pass Marijuana Bills http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11920.shtmlDecriminalization Bill Falters in Committee http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11890.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by i420 on February 08, 2002 at 04:11:44 PT Gov J for President?? Thats okay Gov J tried to make a difference. Question is what is Mr. Johnsons next move ??? Run for state legislator or President?? I'll write him in next time just to say I did. http://johnson4President.org [ Post Comment ] Post Comment