I am so very sorry that I was sick yesterday and for the first time in years I was down for the count.. but thank the Lord I am better today. I was not able to post yesterday. I got this news release yesterday. Please pray for the defeat of this bill. We love you all. Thank you for your prayers for my health. The Governor wants to pass legalized pot so bad! The governor is hanging onto this pot bill like it is a god. Not good. Where are the FAMILY VALUES IN ALL THIS?????

From The New Mexico GOP HOUSE:

Governor burns public transparency on marijuana

 

Santa Fe, NM- The New Mexico Legislature will meet for special session in less than 24-hours to address the Governor’s failed pot legalization measure. The original five proposals spectacularly went up in smoke in the final days of first 60-day session. Despite the special session beginning in less than 24-hours and despite reports that a deal on marijuana legislation has been cut, the bill has yet to be reviewed by the public.

“The past sixty days have been defined by the Governor and Democrats silencing the voice of the people, and the silence has become deafening following the crash and burn of their pot bill,” said House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (Artesia). “If legalizing marijuana is truly about the people, you would think that New Mexicans from all walks of life would have the opportunity to contribute to the process, especially when it failed so miserable at the last minute due to too many cooks in the kitchen. Transparency is key to the public good, and so far all I can tell you is that transparency in this building is on shaky ground.”

FROM THE NM GOP SENATE:

Senate Republicans Criticize Closed-Door Cannabis Negotiations

Call on Governor to delay Special Session

SANTA FE – New Mexico Senate Republicans today criticized Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Democratic leaders in the Senate and House for engaging in closed-door negotiations regarding cannabis legislation and the upcoming Special Session. Senate Republican leaders are now calling on the Governor to delay the Special Session until some bipartisan consensus is reached.

“Since the Legislature adjourned on March 20, Senate Republican leaders have not been included in the conversations regarding the Special Session,” said Senate Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca (District 29-Bernalillo and Valencia). “We are now less than 24 hours from returning to the Capitol, and to our knowledge, there is still no consensus and we have not yet seen any of the proposed bills. Whatever is happening is coming together behind closed doors and it lacks the transparency New Mexicans want and deserve.”

“I sponsored cannabis legislation during the Regular Session and offered to work with the Governor and Democratic leaders on a consensus bill that would garner bipartisan support,” added Senator Cliff Pirtle (District 32-Chaves, Eddy, and Otero). “Despite assurances that I would be included in the negotiations, I was again left out until the last minute. If we eventually see a cannabis bill, I want the public to know that it was not brokered in good faith with input from all stakeholders. Instead, it will likely be the product of a few Democratic legislators, the Governor, and the affluent industry members who are fortunate to be part of her inner circle.”

“The inability of the Governor and Democratic leaders to pass a cannabis bill over the past two months is good indicator that they need more time and input,” concluded Senate Republican Whip, Senator Craig Brandt (District 40-Sandoval). “The public has been locked out of the Capitol, Democratic leadership has not communicated with us, and I fear the output will be a rushed and problematic cannabis bill with dangerous, unintended consequences. The Legislature must convene again in the fall for redistricting. That is ample time for us to come up with a good bill and the Governor should seriously consider delaying the Special Session until then.”

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More from Today:

Oh New Mexico! When will you get it right???? Casinos were to help the schools and roads, FAILURE! Just more heartache for the state. The Rail Runner! What a White Elephant! The Spaceport, corruption has already hit the place! Delivering booze to homes! I cannot wrap my head around that one! I know New Mexico loves it’s booze, but home delivery!???!! All this is really critical thinking! UGH!! UGH!! Is this the best New Mexico can do? Now maybe legalized pot? New Mexico was given gifts by God, gas and oil. No politician has anything to do with that. God blessed New Mexico with those richness. New Mexico turns around and passes a wicked pro-abortion bill this past session! Shame. Whatever happened to diversifying the economy? I have been saying that since 1995. Does New Mexico not care about Family Values? The Sanctity of Life? Why do New Mexicans keep electing anti-life politicians?

ACTION ALERT: Governor Pushes Pot in Special Session

big marijuana video with play button

 

Well, that didn’t take long. As soon as the regular legislative session was done – a little over a week ago – Gov. Lujan-Grisham suggested that she may call a special session to bring full-fledged recreational marijuana to New Mexico. That session begins today– at a heavy cost to taxpayers.

But while the cost of security for the special session (potentially well over $100,000) has gotten the main attention, the real cost to taxpayers will come if the Legislature and Governor actually legalize recreational pot. After all, in states that have fully legalized marijuana, the cost to the states has been enormous.

As New Mexicans, we have to look no further than Colorado to see the social and fiscal costs since legalization in 2014. Since that time, our neighboring state has seen a dramatic increase in violent crime, traffic fatalities, and marijuana hospitalizations. And usage by minors – sometimes fatal, from eating poorly regulated marijuana “candies” – has soared.

Watch this short video to see what awaits New Mexico if legislators choose to do the Governor’s bidding and legalize recreational weed.

big marijuana video with play button


TAKE ACTION: Please take 30 seconds to send a message to your state senator and representative asking them to oppose legalizing recreational marijuana in the special session.
 (Even if you contacted them earlier, it’s important that they hear from you again.)

Thank you for speaking up and spreading the word!

The Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico Team

Mailing Address:
223 N Guadalupe St, Suite 514
Santa Fe, NM 87501
FamilyPolicyAlliance.com/NewMexico
Facebook Twitter RSS Feed

Republicans express opposition to recreational marijuana, but industry insiders hopeful ahead of special session

The chemicals in marijuana have been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, heart failure and atrial fibrillation in observational studies. New Mexico is looking in all the wrong places for revenue. Look to God, not man.

FGGAM NEWS JUST RECEVED THIS NEWS RELEASE:

Public Health Organizations Call on Lawmakers to Protect NM’s Clean Indoor Air Laws; Express Concern Over Cannabis Regulation Act

 

All New Mexicans deserve to live, work, study and play in smokefree environments

ALBUQUERQUE – March 26, 2021— As Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham is planning to call a special session to pass the Cannabis Regulation Act, a coalition of leading public health groups across New Mexico joined together to urge lawmakers to protect the state’s smokefree air laws, cautioning against the potential dangers of the this legislation. The group, including the American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), American Heart Association, American Lung Association in New Mexico, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids and New Mexico Allied Council on Tobacco issued a letter to lawmakers and Governor Lujan-Grisham stating the following:

“As leading public health organizations, we want to express significant concerns with the Cannabis Regulation Act. The Cannabis Act would roll back protections in the Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act by allowing marijuana smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, indoors in licensed marijuana establishments.

“Our organizations have long fought for laws and policies to make our communities in New Mexico and across the country smokefree. All Americans deserve to live, work, study and play in smokefree environments. By implementing smokefree environments, all workers and patrons can be protected from the dangers of all types of secondhand smoke, including marijuana smoke.

“Secondhand marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins and carcinogens found in tobacco smoke. These toxins can cause lung irritation, asthma attacks, and make respiratory infections more likely. Exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke can exacerbate health problems especially for people with respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, or COPD. The chemicals in marijuana have also been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, heart failure and atrial fibrillation in observational studies.

“In 2007, New Mexico took a tremendous step forward for public health when it passed the Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act, which eliminated smoking in almost all public places and workplaces in the state.

As states consider legalizing cannabis, our organizations have strongly urged decisionmakers to ensure current smokefree laws are protected.  The smoking or aerosolizing of marijuana should be prohibited anywhere that tobacco use is currently prohibited.  Decisionmakers must ensure that the smokefree environments that have been created continue to offer protection from secondhand marijuana smoke for workers and patrons.

“Unfortunately, the Cannabis Regulation Act would significantly roll back the Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act. Of particular concern are sections that include wording for “cannabis consumption areas” and exemptions to the clean indoor air act. Decriminalizing marijuana should not roll back smokefree protections and bring smoking of cannabis indoors to public places and businesses. Every worker deserves a smokefree workplace.

“Nobody should have to breathe secondhand smoke, including secondhand marijuana smoke, while earning a paycheck. To best protect public health, we encourage the state legislature not to roll back the Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act by allowing marijuana to be smoked, including through e-cigarettes, inside any workplaces, including licensed marijuana establishments.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Amber Herting

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Phone: 508-450-8690

E-mail: amber,herting@cancer.org

“Legalization” Of Marijuana In New Mexico – Is This Really A Good Idea?

 

In our country and yes, our state, it has become almost fashionable to support the growth and use of marijuana, whether for medicinal use or recreational use.  So much so, that even our state executive and many legislators consider government sanctioned and controlled distribution of marijuana to be a worthy effort as means to acquire tax dollars.  Let’s consider some of the well-established issues facing New Mexico.  For many years, we’ve been rated at the bottom or almost the bottom for quality of education, children living in poverty, drug use (e.g., opioid use), drug trafficking (I-40, I-10, I-25 and the southern border corridors) and DWI offenders (including the associated deaths).  Is there really wisdom in enhancing these issues by creating a culture of “legalized” use of marijuana here in New Mexico?

 

A wise man once told me that if you have any doubt as to whether to do or say something, then ask yourself, would you look to Jesus and say “Lord, I do this thing as unto You” or “Lord, I give You thanks for this which I am about to do.”  If the answer is no, then why are you doing it?  Would you ask Jesus to bless your firing up of a joint or bowl or eating of a laced edible so that you would experience a high?  The scripture says we should seek His wisdom.  According to Proverbs 4:7, “[w]isdom is the principal thing; [t]herefore get wisdom [NKJV].”  Ephesians 5:15-21 instructs us to walk in wisdom:  “[s]ee then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ [NKJV].”  Just because we CAN do something doesn’t necessarily mean we SHOULD do something.

 

My background includes a few years as a Special Agent with the USAF Office of Special Investigations, during which much of the training involved drug enforcement.  I spent the first year after completing the initial academy leading the Travis AFB, CA Joint Drug Enforcement Team and subsequently worked for several years at Holloman AFB, NM participating in drug enforcement operations with the other agents.  Once you have strapped on the equipment and executed a few warrants, you tend to develop a very different perspective about “low level drug use,” as the small amounts of drugs came from someone who was probably not your next door neighbor, and that person’s drugs came from a trafficker – a very dangerous person.  The perspective that I’m not hurting anyone is a big lie.  It is not surprising to me that the military and local or state police have had to lower standards in order to acquire acceptable cadets.  Today, our children and youth often do things as a result of cultural or peer influences which can devastate future employment opportunities.  How much worse it is when our children’s parents are the ones modeling this behavior?  I thank God that our Lord is forgiving and merciful, and am reminded that we are called to forgive others and to help guide our friends, family and others unto salvation and into their God-given destiny!

 

It’s interesting to hear discussions about “legalizing” recreational use of marijuana at the state level.  If a state allows something that is forbidden at the federal level, it is not really legal, but what is happening is that the federal government has elected, as a matter of enforcement discretion, to refrain from seeking prosecution under certain circumstances and the state has elected to ignore existing federal code or statutes.  The federal Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”), 21 USC 812, establishes five schedules of controlled substances, identified as Schedules I, II, III, IV and V.  Schedule I lists substances that have been determined to have:  1) a high potential for abuse; 2) no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and 3) a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or substance under medical supervision.  The psychoactive substance in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), remains to this day a listed Schedule I substance.  Because of this, many states have struggled with the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana and declare legality, when in point of fact, what is occurring is simply enforcement discretion at the federal level and a glaring lack of willingness of the federal government to take a solid position one way or the other.

 

There is MUCH remaining to be said about this issue, including the increasing levels of THC in modern-grown marijuana plants provided by dispensaries and technologically-advanced illicit grows, the lack of clear means for law enforcement to easily determine the degree of driving impairment compared to determining alcohol impairment, the effect that such has or may have on us developmentally, mentally and physically, the wisdom and procedure for assuring sound regulatory controls at the federal and state level – and assuming this issue isn’t going away quickly, the spiritual implications of encouraging, yet another mind altering substance for use by our residents, demonstrating yet again, the wisdom of man in the face of the wisdom of God.

 

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You would speak to the hearts of those in a position to encourage, allow, regulate and/or spend tax dollars on marijuana matters in our beautiful State of New Mexico (and across this nation).  Give us ears to hear and eyes to see what is the will of God.  May wisdom guide our discussions and determinations, with a mighty hedge of protection over all who are doing Your will and serving Your people, in light of this challenge.  But regardless, help us to always love.  Always.  Amen.

 

Chuck Akeley

Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Mexico is 2021’s 3rd Most Stressed State – WalletHub Study

With April being Stress Awareness Month and America’s biggest stressors in 2021 being money problems and the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2021’s Most & Least Stressed States.

To determine the states with the highest stress levels, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 41 key metrics. The data set ranges from average hours worked per week to the personal bankruptcy rate to the share of adults getting adequate sleep.

Stress Levels in New Mexico (1=Most Stressed, 25=Avg.):

 

  • 24th – Job Security
  • 5th – Median Credit Score
  • 17th – Housing Affordability
  • 3rd – % of Population Living in Poverty
  • 2nd –% of Adults in Fair/Poor Health
  • 1st – Crime Rate per Capita

For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/most-stressed-states/32218

More from WalletHub

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