New Mexico has moved to phase out medical cannabis cards for nonresidents starting at mid-year, under a bill approved by the Legislature this week and supported by the governor.

More than 600 people from Texas, Arizona and beyond have enrolled as patients in New Mexico’s medical marijuana program since September based on a change in state statute signed into law last year by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

New Mexico lawmakers have voted to reinstate a residency requirement for patients authorized to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. Under a bill passed in the New Mexico House of Representatives on Monday, allowing non-residents to apply for medical marijuana identification cards would be phased out later this year. The measure, SB 139, was approved in the state Senate on Saturday and has the support of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

It was backed by the governor, the vast majority of the state’s population, and had even been reviewed by a committee in January. But it now appears that there will be no further movement for SB 115 this year, meaning New Mexico’s cannabis legalization dreams will have to wait for the next legislative session. 

On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-4 to table the bill.

Lawmakers in New Mexico are one step closer to legalizing recreational marijuana after a key committee in the state Senate approved a bill for adult use. 

The Senate Public Affairs Committee voted 4-3 along party lines to advance the measure, which enjoys support from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

New Mexico’s governor highlighted legalization as one of her top policy priorities in her State of the State address earlier this month.

After New Mexico’s governor predicted that legalization of cannabis is a priority for some lawmakers this year, a Democratic state senator has proposed a bill that would regulate adult use. SB 115 will be reviewed for the first time by a legislative committee on Tuesday. 

This year already promises to have plenty of election drama thanks to the presidential race. But in some states -- including some of the biggest in the U.S. -- it also could prove to be a big election for marijuana. 

In other states, leaders are choosing legislative action over the ballot box. It’s setting up what should be an interesting year for cannabis advocates in 2020.

Chief among the states considering legalization are New Jersey and New York. Lawmakers in both states failed to pass legalization in 2019. Voters in New Jersey will take matters into their own hands this November. Meanwhile, New York is looking to partner on the issue with a neighboring state on legalization through legislative action.

Calling it a potential “an economic game-changer” for the state, New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham initiated a campaign to legalize recreational marijuana. 

Officials at a New Mexico event venue have agreed to settle a lawsuit with a medical cannabis producer over what type of products could be displayed at the state fair.

Expo New Mexico officials agreed to drop a pending appeal and pay $69,600 to Ultra Health LLC to avoid further legal expenses, The Albuquerque Journal reported Friday.

The legal dispute began after Expo New Mexico told Ultra Health it could not display marijuana or any paraphernalia related to cannabis use or cultivation in its 2017 State Fair booth, officials said.

New Mexico State Police officers told company employees the year before to leave the fair after displaying a live cannabis plant, authorities said.