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Albuquerque Mayor Vetoes Bill To Decriminalize Pot

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry has vetoed a measure that would have allowed voters to decide if small amounts of marijuana would be decriminalized in New Mexico's largest city.

Berry said in a video message Friday that the proposal would contradict state and federal laws, and he couldn't "in good conscience" support the bill.

A divided Albuquerque City Council voted to put the measure on the November ballot after activists failed to collect enough signatures.

The veto comes two days after the Santa Fe City Council bypassed voters and adopted outright a similar measure that makes possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $25.

Berry's move also vetoes a tax increase and other proposals attached to the same bill.

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