By: Jamie Warren
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - State Representative Bill McCamley, (D) Las
Cruces, wants the State of New Mexico to legalize the social use of
cannabis.
McCamley is proposing a bill during the upcoming
legislative session, which begins in seven days. If cannabis is
legalized, McCamley said, it would greatly boost the economy, create
jobs and boost funding for law enforcement and education.
The
state rep. Said there would be a 15% tax on marijuana, which could
generate in between $60-70 million for the state. McCamley said 40
percent would go toward education.
McCamley acknowledged there
could still be issues at the federal level. For example, employers could
still conduct drug tests on employees. He said when passing through
border patrol, drivers could be stopped and possibly arrested if found
to be in possession of recreational marijuana.
McCamley plans to
introduce The Cannabis Revenue and Freedom Act January 11, 2017 at the
State Capitol in Santa Fe. He said if passed at the state level,
individual cities and counties would still be able to vote on whether to
accept it.
In a news release, McCamley cited information from the Cato
Institute, which states New Mexico police agencies, courts, and prisons
spend $33 million enforcing cannabis laws every year.
“This money will
be freed up for use in enforcing real crimes,” the news release states.
Governor
Susana Martinez has widely criticized the recreational use of
marijuana. ABC-7 reached out to the governor's office for comment and is
waiting to hear back.
House Republicans have killed the proposal
twice before. Opponents fear legalizing marijuana could lead to a high
potential for abuse.
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