Miscellaneous
Covid-19 restrictions began shutting down our state in March 2020. Now, more than 15 months later, New Mexico is ready to reopen fully. New strains of the virus, including the Delta variant, are still a concern, urging some to call for caution. The Line opinion panel takes on the implications of the state’s full reopening, scheduled for July 1. The Line opinion panelists consider another important date: June 29, when adult-use cannabis becomes legal. There’s a long way to go for New Mexico’s nascent industry and cities like Albuquerque are figuring out important zoning issues. The Line also looks at economic impacts and protections for small and micro businesses as they compete against the larger players in the industry. Growing Forward podcast hosts Megan Kamerick and Andy Lyman talk to Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart about how her deputies will deal with the new cannabis law. And, we catch up with New Mexico's newest state legislator, Representative Pamelya Herndon, who was appointed this week to fill out Melanie Stansbury's term in the Roundhouse. Stansbury recently won a special election to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.