Update: Lawmakers have introduced a third hemp research bill, House Bill 530. This bill was passed by the House on March 14 by a vote of 65 to 1, and now awaits senate action.
Update: Governor Martinez has vetoed the second hemp bill on March 12th.
Governor Susana Martinez has vetoed House Bill 144, which sought to establish a hemp research program in compliance with provisions in the federal Farm Bill explicitly authorizing states to engage in licensed activity involving hemp absent federal reclassification of the plant. The Governor provided no public explanation for the veto.
The bill has previously passed the House and Senate by votes of 42 to 26 and 30 to 12 respectively.
New Mexico is one of the only states that fails to recognize hemp as an agricultural commodity rather than as a controlled substance.
A similar provision, Senate Bill 6, passed the House and Senate by votes of 58 to 8 and 37 to 2.
Please use the pre-written letter below to urge lawmakers to override the veto on SB 6.
