SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bill that reduces penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia has been signed by the governor of New Mexico. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation Wednesday that makes the possession of up to a half-ounce (12 grams) of marijuana a petty misdemeanor. That would translate into a $50 fine on …

GOP senator’s bill calls for state-run pot shops By Steve Terrell sterrell@sfnewmexican.com A Republican state senator on Thursday introduced a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana but, unlike a Democratic House bill, would have the state operate retail marijuana stores. Sen. Mark Moores of Albuquerque said in a phone interview Thursday that, considering the number of western states that have …

Latest bill to legalize marijuana gains steam in Legislature By Steve Terrell sterrell@sfnewmexican.com Recreational marijuana would become legal for people 21 or older in New Mexico and the state could tax marijuana sold in licensed stores under a bill introduced Thursday by state Rep. Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque. House Bill 356 would establish a licensing system that supporters say favors small …

New Mexico medical marijuana program tops 50K patients SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — More than 50,000 patients are now participating in New Mexico’s medical marijuana program. The latest figures from the state Health Department show a total of 50,954 patients were enrolled at the end of March. That’s an increase of nearly 46 percent from the same time last year. …