Could New Mexico soon legalize marijuana?

New Mexico has a democratic governor for the first time in eight years.

Does that mean the state could soon legalize marijuana?

“It’s going to directly impact the economy over time,” said state Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Las Cruces. “Especially when it’s combined with a lot of different ideas that are coming about from this legislature.”

Rubio is co-sponsoring a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in this legislative session. She said it could drastically alter the makeup of New Mexico’s prisons.

“It addresses the repair of the war on drugs, particularly when it came to black and brown men, mostly who have been incarcerated for these types of crimes,” Rubio said.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has said she is open to legalizing the drug. However, not all democrats in the state think it’s a good idea.

“I think it’s going to lead to other uses of drugs,” said Mayor Ken Miyagishima.

In April, Albuquerque decriminalized the use of the drug, meaning the city would no longer jail residents with small amounts of marijuana. The following day, ABC-7 asked Miyagishima if Las Cruces would consider decriminalizing the drug.

“Do I think Las Cruces is moving in that direction? I don’t believe so,” the mayor said in April.

On Monday, the mayor said he stands behind the comments he made nine months ago. Working in insurance, he said he fears more drivers will get behind the wheel high.

However, if marijuana is legalized across the state, there’s nothing the city of Las Cruces can do.

“The senate is certainly where I’ll be watching to see how they’re considering this issue,” Rubio said.