House readies for legalization vote this weekend - Tell your legislator what you think

Published February 25th, 2021 at 9:26 am

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And now we wait… Deb Haaland’s confirmation hearing in the Senate Energy committee ended without a vote yesterday. Chairman Joe Manchin gave members the rest of the day to submit additional questions, then there will be some time for Haaland and the White House to respond.

Worries over Haaland’s confirmation abated somewhat yesterday when Sen. Manchin, a moderate Democrat from coal-powered W. Va., said he had decided to support Haaland after all.

No word, yet, on when the committee will vote or when the full Senate might take up the nomination. No matter what, if Haaland is confirmed in the next few weeks that would set up a special election to fill her seat sometime in late May or early June. Stay tuned…

“It’s going to be Cannabis Day, and I understand Tallman is driving his Cheech and Chong van up.” — Sen. Benny Shendo, D-Jemez Pueblo, joked, referring to Sen. Bill Tallman, D-Albuquerque earlier this week. The Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee will be considering all four cannabis bills Saturday and in a big step forward, the House is coalescing around HB12, the bill with important investments in social justice programs to remedy the harms of criminalization. The bill cleared it’s last committee yesterday.

A House leader reached by phone yesterday expects the full House to take up legalization during a weekend session.

State House Readies Vote On Cannabis Legalization As Early As This Weekend

New Mexico may be one step closer to legalizing cannabis now that two House committees […]

For it? Against it? This is your last chance to contact legislators before those big votes. Use our “contact your legislator” tool embedded in the story above to find your legislator and share your opinion. It’s news you can use!

Now there is Turquoise! Nearly every New Mexico county is improving in the gating metrics measuring lowered COVID risks tied to reopening. Yesterday, the governor announced a new level – TURQUOISE! – that everyone wants to get to because it means bars and concerts are back.

Our editor looked at what it will take to get BernCo to the next two levels (spoiler: it’s not that hard).