The proposed legislation would “narrow the definition of a ‘safety-sensitive situation’ under the state’s medical cannabis law, according to Santa Fe New Mexico. The ruling banned first responders and firefighters from entering New Mexico’s medical marijuana program, which was launched in 2007.
As proposed, the definition would include only employees who are required to carry a firearm or operate a vehicle with a commercial driver’s license and “whose performance under the influence of drugs or alcohol constitutes a direct or immediate threat of injury or death to one or another person.” State law currently defines a “safety sensitive situation” that does not qualify for the medical cannabis program more broadly, and prohibits firefighters from using medical cannabis without an employer’s permission,” the bulletin said.
The legislation is supported by local firefighters’ unions.
“We will use a responsible policy to deal with everything just like alcohol, not just alcohol, but other prescription drugs that we are not allowed to use while on the job,” said Miguel Taitman, president of the International Fire Fighting Association (IAFF) 244 Fighters, he told a local news station. louvers.
“We wouldn’t be able to use medical marijuana many hours before shift if we were able to negotiate responsible policy.”
Christopher Johnson, president of IAFF 2362 in Las Cruces, echoed those sentiments.
“I think a lot of the hope was that it would be possible to articulate that at the state level, which would kind of open the door for municipalities to start making that distinction and allow them to allow us to use that as well,” Johnson told KOAT.
The bill is currently under consideration by a committee in the state House of Representatives.
Democrats have majorities in both houses of the New Mexico legislature.
Democratic Gov. Michelle Logan Grisham has also proven herself to be a cannabis supporter.
In 2021, she signed legislation making adult use of marijuana legal in New Mexico, which she calls an economic coup for the state.
“The legalization of adult cannabis use paves the way for creating a new economic engine in our state with the promise of creating thousands of well-paying jobs for years to come,” Grisham said at the time. “We will increase consumer safety by creating a bona fide industry. We will begin to right the wrongs of the past in this country’s failed war on drugs. And we will break new ground in an industry that will change New Mexico’s economic future for the better.”
“As we look forward to recovering from the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, entrepreneurs will benefit from this great opportunity to establish profitable new ventures, state and local governments will benefit from the added revenue, and most importantly, workers will benefit from the opportunity to obtain new types of jobs and build careers,” Grisham added.
Grisham said the measure was “a big, big step forward for our state.”
“Legal adult use of cannabis will change the way we think in New Mexico for the better—our workforce, our economy, and our future. We are ready to break new ground. We are ready to invest in ourselves and the limitless potential of New Mexicans. We are ready to work in making these The industry is successful.
Sell medical and recreational cannabis in New Mexico Totaling over $40 million in December.
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