Marijuana measure submitted for Albuquerque ballot

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque officials are reviewing petitions submitted by backers of a proposal to relax marijuana possession penalties to see whether the measure qualifies to go before voters.

Supporters on Monday submitted petitions with an estimated 16,000 signatures. The measure needs at least 11,203 valid city voter signatures to qualify for the ballot.

The Albuquerque Journal (http://bit.ly/1la78Cb) reports that city workers have 10 days to determine whether enough of the signatures are valid.

The proposal would make the maximum penalty for possession of an ounce of marijuana a $25 fine with no jail time. It also would decree that possession of marijuana would be “a lowest law enforcement priority.”

That would change an ordinance that now calls for a fine of up to $50 and as many as 15 days in jail.

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Marijuana measure submitted for Albuquerque ballot