“It’s something of an intimidating process,” Weisler said.
Consequently, some parts of the state don’t have any officers trained as drug recognition experts, legislators were told Tuesday.
The numbers surfaced as members of the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee dedicated much of their afternoon to New Mexico’s preparation to carry out a new law legalizing cannabis for adults.
Retail sales are set to begin by April next year. Growing cannabis at home for recreational use became legal last month.
The work of drug recognition experts is expected to take on extra importance because there’s no standard breath test or assumed impairment level for cannabis, in contrast to alcohol. Officers certified as experts can help distinguish whether a person is truly impaired by cannabis.