New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her intent to legalize marijuana in 2021. She noted that legalizing and taxing the substance would generate some much-needed revenue for the state
In a recent State of the State address, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her intent to legalize marijuana in 2021. She largely noted that legalizing and taxing the substance would generate some much-needed revenue for the state, as well as create jobs that many desperately need as COVID-19 has caused widespread job losses.
"I have no interest in another year of thousands of New Mexicans eager to get to work and make their future in this industry being told ,Aono,' just because that's easier than doing the hard work to get to ,Aoyes.' When we emerge from this pandemic, we can have the same old economy, with the same old boom-and-bust future, or we can roar back to life, breaking new ground and fearlessly investing in ourselves, in the limitless potential of New Mexicans. I know which future I prefer, and we can begin building it this year."
Not only would a marijuana industry create many jobs, but it would also allow for those who haven't been able to find work because they have old marijuana charges on their records to apply. With legalization typically comes new methods of obtaining expunctions, many states have even enacted automatic expunctions for smaller amounts of the substance.
Governor Grisham also noted that in the last two years, they have issued almost 700 hemp licenses. That means that there is already several million square feet of commercial growing space already available, which would help a legal marijuana industry thrive right at its inception.
There are 5 known pieces of marijuana-related legislation on New Mexico's slate this year, and we hope that lawmakers put the same emphasis on clearing past charges that they do on the potential cash cow of tax dollars.
If you're struggling to move on from a marijuana arrest, charge, or conviction, we might be able to clear it from your record so you can start fresh. Make the first move by signing up for a free background check from Easy Expunctions so we can get an idea of what's on your record and what we can clear.