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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

NM State Senator Wants Marijuana Legalized

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Monday, January 6, 2014   

SANTA FE, N.M. - Legalizing marijuana is an issue that New Mexico state lawmakers will likely be discussing in the upcoming legislative session. State Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino said he plans to introduce legislation that could lead to marijuana being decriminalized and taxed.

The Albuquerque Democrat said New Mexico could write its laws based on the experiences of Colorado and Washington state, which have legalized marijuana.

"Hopefully, we'd be building on their experiences. If they've had problems in some aspect of this, then we would know what to avoid. If they've had some things that have worked really well in one state, we could copy it," Ortiz y Pino said.

Ortiz y Pino said passage of his legislation would lead to a ballot measure in the November general election, asking voters if they want to legalize marijuana.

He explained that the state could control the use and tax the sale of marijuana, which could potentially generate millions of dollars in new revenue for the state. Another huge cost savings would be realized if law enforcement stops pursuing marijuana-related crimes, he said, adding that the laws governing use of the drug would likely be similar to those that apply to alcohol.

"Have age restrictions on who can use it," he suggested. "All of those things that we've already worked out with alcohol we can take a look at for marijuana, as well."

The state legislature convenes Tuesday, Jan. 21. Ortiz y Pino said even with legislative and voter approval, marijuana would not be legalized in New Mexico for at least two years.



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