NM: Albuquerque Mayor Vetoes Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance (Again)

Mayor Berry’s Veto of Marijuana Decriminalization Lags Behind History and the Public’s Will

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana for personal possession as well as a resolution that would have made marijuana a low priority for law enforcement.

The vetoed ordinance would have made possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and possession of any drug paraphernalia a civil infraction with a fine of $25. A civil infraction is not considered a criminal conviction, and would have taken away the potential for jail time. Currently a violator could spend more than two weeks in jail for a first offense and 90 days for a subsequent offense.

“Mayor Berry, in his public statement on why he…