Santa Fe Becomes First City in New Mexico to Decriminalize Marijuana

City council skips ballot measure, saves $80,000

There won't be an election on whether to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in Santa Fe after all – a divided City Council went ahead and adopted a decriminalization measure late Wednesday night.

The vote was 5 to 4 to pass an ordinance that makes having an ounce or less of pot only a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of no more than $25. Councilors who voted for passage said it would save the cost of putting the measure on the ballot, estimated by the City Clerk's office at as much as $80,000.