Members of the New Mexico House and Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would legalize and regulate recreational cannabis in New Mexico. On a 38 to 32 vote, the House approved a 178-page bill — HB2 — to enact the Cannabis Regulation Act. Later on Wednesday, the Senate followed suit on a Senate Bill 2, approving a measure that would provide for expungement of arrest and conviction records for certain cannabis offenses by a 23-13 vote. Both bills are expected to be signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Now that recreational cannabis will soon be flooding NM’s streets, employers will face increasing difficulty in maintaining drug free work environments and finding employees able pass a drug screen prior to employment. NMBC has been a vocal advocate against the legalization of recreational cannabis and is saddened to see this legislation pass in special session while so many businesses are still closed and New Mexicans are out of work. While legislators tout the potential for more jobs in the cannabis industry and increased tax revenue for the state, only time will tell if those benefits out weigh the tremendous social costs of legalization. Click HERE to read more.