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Santa Fe County Marijuana Decriminalization Advisory Question (November 2014)
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A Santa Fe County Marijuana Decriminalization Advisory Question ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. It was approved.
This question was an advisory, non-binding question designed to gauge voter support throughout the county for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.[1]
A similar advisory question was on the ballot in Bernalillo County. It was also approved, but by a lower margin.
A successful initiative effort to put a binding measure seeking decriminalization of an ounce or less of pot on the ballot in the city of Santa Fe gave the city council the option of either approving the measure directly or putting it before voters. The council chose to directly enact decriminalization, making possession and use of an ounce or less of marijuana just a civil infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $25.[2][3]
A "yes" vote expressed approval of decriminalization of the possession and use of an ounce or less of marijuana. A "no" vote expressed disapproval.
Election results
| Santa Fe Measure 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes | 28,486 | 73.05% | ||
| No | 10,508 | 26.95% | ||
Election results via: New Mexico Secretary of State
Text of measure
Ballot question
The question on the ballot appeared as:[1]
| “ |
Should the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) of Santa Fe County support county, city, and statewide efforts to decriminalize possession of one ounce or less of marijuana?[4] |
” |
Support
Supporters of marijuana legalization or decriminalization argued that the drug does not deserve attention from law enforcement and that police officers should focus on important, harmful crimes.
New Mexico In Focus, "Episode 807: Marijuana Penalties Latest," August 22, 2014 |
Opposition
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R) was opposed to local efforts to decriminalize marijuana. She argued that cities should maintain consistency with federal and state laws, which both consider marijuana an illegal drug. She also stated that the current penalties surrounding pot use and possession were warranted and should be left in place.[5]
The gubernatorial race
The issue of marijuana decriminalization became important enough in the state to be highlighted by the race for governor. Gov. Susana Martinez (R) - the incumbent in the state's 2014 gubernatorial race - came out against decriminalization efforts, especially local efforts that put local laws at odds with federal law. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gary King, however, largely approved of decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana.[6]
King said, "Its [sic] inappropriate for small amounts of marijuana to be putting people in prison."[6]
Martinez said, "It is against the law, federally, and, therefore, it is also against the law in New Mexico and I think it is the way it should be and the penalties are appropriate."[6]
Related measures
Recreational
Washington D.C. Marijuana Legalization, Initiative 71 (November 2014)
Colorado:
Maine:
City of Lewiston Recreational Marijuana Legalization Measure (November 2014)
City of South Portland Recreational Marijuana Legalization Measure (November 2014)
Town of York Recreational Marijuana Legalization Measure (November 2014)
Massachusetts:
Michigan:
New Mexico:
Santa Fe County Marijuana Decriminalization Advisory Question (November 2014)
Bernalillo County Marijuana Decriminalization Advisory Question, Measure 1 (November 2014)
City of Albuquerque Marijuana Decriminalization Measure (November 2014)
City of Santa Fe Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative (November 2014)
Wisconsin:
Dane County State Legalization of Marijuana Referendum (April 2014)
Medical
California:
City of Santa Ana Council-Referred Medical Marijuana Regulation Ordinance, Measure BB (November 2014)
City of Santa Ana Medical Cannabis Restriction and Limitation Initiative, Measure CC (November 2014)
City of La Mesa Medical Marijuana Initiative, Proposition J (November 2014)
City of Encinitas Medical Marijuana Initiative, Proposition F (November 2014)
Nevada County Medical Marijuana Cultivation, Measure S (November 2014)
Butte County Medical Marijuana Ordinance 4075 Referendum, Measure A (November 2014)
Butte County Medical Marijuana Initiative, Measure B (November 2014)
Shasta County Outdoor Medical Marijuana Ordinance Referendum, Measure A (November 2014)
Lake County "Medical Marijuana Control Act" Initiative, Measure O (November 2014)
Lake County "Freedom to Garden Human Rights Restoration Act" Initiative, Measure P (November 2014)
City of Weed Permitting Licensing of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Advisory Question, Measure L (November 2014)
City of Weed Outdoor Marijuana Cultivation Ban Advisory Question, Measure K (November 2014)
Lake County Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance 2997 Referendum, Measure N (June 2014)
City of Imperial Beach "Compassionate Access Ordinance" Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Act (June 2014)
City of Napa Medical Marijuana Dispensary Referendum (November 2014)
City of San Jose Medical Marijuana Regulation Act of 2014 (November 2014)
See also
- Local marijuana on the ballot
- Santa Fe County, New Mexico ballot measures
- November 4, 2014 ballot measures in New Mexico
External links
- Santa Fe County Elections Office website
- Marijuana Policy Project, "Summary of 2014 local marijuana measures," accessed October 24, 2014
Additional reading
- New Mexico Telegram, "Morning Word: ABQ ballot measures likely to be vetoed by mayor," August 20, 2014
- San Francisco Chronicle online, "Albuquerque mayor considers veto on pot measure," August 20, 2014
- KUNM, "Headlines: ABQ Mayor May Veto Marijuana Vote, Governor Opposes Pot Advocacy And More," August 20, 2014
- Albuquerque Journal, "SF County Commission approves pot referendum," August 27, 2014
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Santa Fe County Elections Office website, "2014 General Election Sample Ballot," accessed October 24, 2014
- ↑ KOB4, "Santa Fe City Council passes measure to reduce marijuana penalties," August 27, 2014
- ↑ Reuters, "Santa Fe city council votes to decriminalize marijuana," August 28, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ KUNM, "Headlines: ABQ Mayor May Veto Marijuana Vote, Governor Opposes Pot Advocacy And More," August 19, 2014
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 ProgressNow NM website, "Gary King and Susana Martinez Square Off on Marijuana Policy. Who’s on your side?" August 22, 2014
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