POSSESSION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF POT COULD BECOME A CIVIL ISSUE IN NEW MEXICO. STATE REP EMILY KANE'S HOUSE BILL 465 LOWERS PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION OF UP TO 8 OUNCES OF POT, ALLOWING POLICE TO WRITE CITATIONS INSTEAD OF MAKING ARRESTS. KANE SAYS THIS WOULD GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES MORE OPTIONS AND FLEXIBILITY SO THEY'RE MORE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER, MORE URGENT CALLS.

THE FINE FOR POSSESSING AN OUNCE OR LESS OF POT WOULD BE 50 DOLLARS FOR A FIRST OFFENSE. IT GOES UP TO AS HIGH AS A 300 DOLLAR FINE FOR ANYONE FOUND WITH 4-TO-8 OUNCES OF MARIJUANA. CURRENT PENALTIES FOR HAVING SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA REMAIN IN PLACE.