Running out of time on legalization, Senators call for compromise, or else

Published February 28th, 2021 at 9:03 am

DAILY DIGITAL EDITION | SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2021
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Every Sunday at The Paper., we try to slow down and take a deeper look at bigger issues impacting New Mexico. Today, we’re looking at two: legalization and the Gila River.

It may be the most impactful bill of the legislature you’ve never heard of. A bill to finally settle the 20-year-long fight over Gila diversion and start delivering water for 4 drought-stricken southwest New Mexico counties is quietly making its way through the legislature. Our editor, who grew up in rural Grant County not far from the river, reports on the multimillion-dollar effort to keep fighting for a plan that will never be, and a new approach to deliver on the promise of much-needed water.

Will time run out? Since the legislative session started in mid-January two states, New Jersey and Virginia, have already legalized cannabis. That makes 15 for those counting at home.

New Mexico is close to being number 16, but time is running out.

With just under three weeks left in the legislative session, Senators decided to wait another week before a key committee will schedule a vote. That may be a good thing if that extra time leads to a compromise between the recently passed House bill and 4 different Senate ones. But in Santa Fe, lots can change — good and bad — in a week. Just look back at the last 48 hours.

On Friday, the State House passed legislation to legalize cannabis. 7 non-Republicans (6 Dems and 1 independent) joined with the GOP caucus voting against it. On Saturday, the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee considered a slew of legalization bills but took no action, choosing instead to see if another week would help sponsors reach a compromise with colleagues in the House. What they really mean, of course, is whether different factions in the cannabis industry can stop fighting and agree on one bill.

As a reminder, there are more than 11,000 jobs and $100 million in new taxes on the table here. That’s a lot of good news for a state that needs both. Let’s hope everyone figures this out ASAP.

By the way, today is the last day of February and we are almost, but not quite, to our goal of adding 100 new monthly supporters for The Paper. Remember, all this great reporting is expensive. Every single day we bring you the best legislative reporting from the Santa Fe New Mexican, free to readers of The Paper., 9 different independent columnists and reporters covering the environment, city hall, food, film and more. To keep The Paper free in print and online, we rely on reader support. Thank you to Stanley, Maria, Rebecca, Patrick and Frank for answering our last call for new monthly donors!

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Running Out of Time, Senators Call For Compromise on Cannabis Legalization Bill

By Robert Nott, Santa Fe New Mexican in The Paper. New Mexico lawmakers eager to legalize recreational marijuana are facing a looming challenge. Simply put, time is running out. […]