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Recreational marijuana legal to possess, grow in New Mexico apnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from apnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Morgan Lee and Cedar Attanasio
Associated Press
SANTA FE – It’s legal for people in New Mexico to possess recreational marijuana and grow those plants at home as of Tuesday, the same day regulators opened discussions on rules for the launch of pot sales next year.
The milestone was celebrated by cannabis consumers and advocates for criminal justice reform who say poor and minority communities have been prosecuted disproportionately for using marijuana. Now, the scent of marijuana no longer is an adequate cause for searching vehicles and property in New Mexico.
Recreational marijuana is now legal in 16 states and Washington, D.C., with Connecticut and Virginia set to join the list Thursday.
Associated Press, Andres Leighton
By Morgan Lee Associated Press
Efforts among a handful of states to hold police accountable for brutality and misconduct are expanding Thursday as New Mexico opens the door to civil rights lawsuits against government agencies in state court.
The New Mexico Civil Rights Act removes immunity provisions that shield government agencies from financial liability related to misconduct, though individual officials won t pay for damages.
As the law takes effect, local police agencies are bracing for an onslaught of lawsuits that can carry liability awards of up to $2 million per event. At least one county sheriff s department has been declined private insurance coverage highlighting concerns about potential payouts.
New Mexico mulls cannabis industry rules as possession becomes legal demingheadlight.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from demingheadlight.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.