Las Cruces strategizes how to enforce new marijuana decriminalization law

After New Mexico decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, Las Cruces city leaders strategized how to move forward at a Monday work session.

“I didn’t think the punishment fit the crime,” said City Councilman Gabe Vasquez, who represents district three. “I thought it was wholely unfair to have this penalty placed upon college students, but also sometimes high school students.”

Last week, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill into law that woud make possessing less than a half-ounce of marijuana a petty misdemeanor, according to the Associated Press. It would come with a $50 ticket, but no criminal conviction.

However, in the city of Las Cruces, possession of any amount of marijuana would still come with a criminal conviction, said Jennifer Vega-Brown, an attorney for the city of Las Cruces.

“What action can the city take?” Vega-Brown asked councilors. “The city may be able to enact its own ordinance with similar provisions.”

Going forward, Mayor Ken Miyagishima told ABC-7 he would support changing city ordinance to match the state law.

It goes into effect July 1st.