Most of the New Mexico Republicans have constantly been against proposals for legalizing the use of recreational marijuana since years.
However, with several states are now making marijuana legal, 3 Democratic colleagues as well as 3 Senate Republicans have collaborated and filed a bipartisan bill on Thursday. The Senate Bill 577 would create an opportunity for state-run stores to sell marijuana.
As per the guidelines of the bill, a new state agency known as ‘Cannabis Control Commission’ would be developed to monitor the production and sale of marijuana.
A permit to keep drug-free environment in the workplace will be given to the businesses. Moreover, a tax rate of 17% would be imposed upon the sale of retail marijuana by the businesses.
The countries, state and cities would receive a share from that collected revenue while a small amount would be directed for training officers to spot drugged driving. The remaining revenue would head towards programs meant for mental health and substance abuse.
The model would not permit private dispensaries for the sale of marijuana. This would therefore allow the state to make sure that edible marijuana items don’t reach the kids, said Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, one of the sponsors of the bill.
