The proposed legislation “would narrow the definition of ‘safety-sensitive position’” under the state’s medical cannabis law, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. That provision has precluded first responders and firefighters from entering the New Mexico medical marijuana program, which launched in 2007.

“As proposed, the definition would only include employees who are required to carry a firearm or operate a vehicle with a commercial driver’s license and ‘whose performance under the influence of drugs or alcohol would constitute an immediate or direct threat of injury or death to the person or another.’ State law currently defines a ‘safety-sensitive position’ ineligible for the medical cannabis program more broadly, barring firefighters from using medical cannabis without their employer’s permission,” the publication reported. 

The legislation is being backed by local firefighters unions.

“We would use responsible policy to address everything just like about alcohol, and not only alcohol but other prescribed medications that we’re not allowed to use when we’re working on the job,” Miguel Tittmann, the president of  International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) 244, told local news station KOAT.

“We would not be able to use medical marijuana so many hours prior to the shift if we were able to negotiate responsible policy.”

Christopher Johnson, the president of IAFF 2362 in Las Cruces, echoed those sentiments.

“I think a lot of our hope was that that would be able to be cleared up at the state level, which would kind of open up the door for the municipalities to start making that distinction and allow them to allow us to use that as well,” Johnson told KOAT.

The bill is currently being considered by a committee in the state House of Representatives. 

Democrats hold majorities in both chambers of the New Mexico legislature.

The state’s Democratic governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, has also proven to be pro-cannabis.

In 2021, she signed legislation that made adult-use marijuana legal in New Mexico, which she hailed as an economic coup for the state.

“The legalization of adult-use cannabis paves the way for the creation of a new economic driver in our state with the promise of creating thousands of good paying jobs for years to come,” Grisham said at the time. “We are going to increase consumer safety by creating a bona fide industry. We’re going to start righting past wrongs of this country’s failed war on drugs. And we’re going to break new ground in an industry that may well transform New Mexico’s economic future for the better.”

“As we look to rebound from the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, entrepreneurs will benefit from this great opportunity to create lucrative new enterprises, the state and local governments will benefit from the added revenue and, importantly, workers will benefit from the chance to land new types of jobs and build careers,” Grisham added.

Grisham said the measure was “a major, major step forward for our state.” 

“Legalized adult-use cannabis is going to change the way we think about New Mexico for the better – our workforce, our economy, our future. We’re ready to break new ground. We’re ready to invest in ourselves and the limitless potential of New Mexicans. And we’re ready to get to work in making this industry a successful one,” the governor said.

Medical and recreational cannabis sales in New Mexico totaled more than $40 million in December.

The post Bill Seeks To Ease Medical Cannabis Restrictions for New Mexico Firefighters appeared first on High Times.

The post Bill Seeks To Ease Medical Cannabis Restrictions for New Mexico Firefighters appeared first on Paradise Found.

Three days and millions of dollars later, the New Mexico adult-use cannabis industry is off to a roaring start.

Local television station KOAT reports that, as of noon on Sunday, recreational pot sales in the state had eclipsed $3 million.

The station, citing state officials, said that 49,552 transactions for recreational cannabis transactions had been recorded at that time, which totaled $3,092,712.

Sales officially kicked off after midnight on Friday, when hundreds of eager customers lined up outside the dispensaries in anticipation of the historic opening.

New Mexico is the 18th state to legalize recreational pot use for adults after its Democratic governor,  Michelle Lujan Grisham, signed a bill into law last spring.

“The legalization of adult-use cannabis paves the way for the creation of a new economic driver in our state with the promise of creating thousands of good paying jobs for years to come,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement at the time. “We are going to increase consumer safety by creating a bona fide industry. We’re going to start righting past wrongs of this country’s failed War on Drugs. And we’re going to break new ground in an industry that may well transform New Mexico’s economic future for the better.”

From the start, Grisham has hailed legalization as a force for economic prosperity in the state. After signing the legislation into law last year, her office said that “sales of adult-use recreational cannabis could amount to $318 million in the first year, creating over several years what could be more than 11,000 new jobs.” Her office added “that the excise tax will raise at least $20 million for the general fund in the first full fiscal year, with significant growth in subsequent years.”

“As we look to rebound from the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, entrepreneurs will benefit from this great opportunity to create lucrative new enterprises, the state and local governments will benefit from the added revenue and, importantly, workers will benefit from the chance to land new types of jobs and build careers,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement after the bill signing.

“This legislation is a major, major step forward for our state,” the governor added. “Legalized adult-use cannabis is going to change the way we think about New Mexico for the better — our workforce, our economy, our future. We’re ready to break new ground. We’re ready to invest in ourselves and the limitless potential of New Mexicans. And we’re ready to get to work in making this industry a successful one.”

As recreational pot sales launched throughout the state on Friday, Lujan Grisham visited a dispensary in Albuquerque.

Local television station KRQE reported that the governor “didn’t buy anything herself,” but did spend about a half-hour at the store conversing with customers and employees.

“I’m excited, this is what New Mexicans said they wanted,” Lujan Grisham said, as quoted by the station. “They said they wanted it long before was I running.”

While she didn’t procure any bud to take back to the governor’s mansion, Lujan Grisham didn’t rule out a purchase in the future.

“I don’t have to decide today, because it’s not going to end today. It’s going to stay forever,” she said, according to KRQE.

According to local television station KOAT, more than $4.5 million in total cannabis sales had been reported in New Mexico last weekend, including medicinal cannabis.

On Friday, there was $1.96 million in recreational cannabis sold in New Mexico, according to the station.

“By noon Friday, recreational sales had reached $476,000. About 70 percent of all cannabis sales Friday were for recreational use,” the station reported.

The post New Mexico Recreational Pot Sales Surpass $3 Million in Opening Weekend appeared first on High Times.

The post New Mexico Recreational Pot Sales Surpass $3 Million in Opening Weekend appeared first on Paradise Found.