The New Mexico House voted on Thursday to legalize recreational marijuana. If passed in the Senate, New Mexico will be the 11th state to allow non-medical use of the drug.

No Republicans voted for the bill and several moderate Democrats voted against it.

According to New Mexico House Democrats, House Bill 356 does more than legalize recreational marijuana for adults. It will also invest in community public safety and substance abuse treatment, as well road safety and education.

In the first year, House Democrats said , marijuana legalization will create 11,000 jobs and bring in more than $70 million in tax revenue.

House Bill 356 includes strong public health and safety provisions, directs funds to road safety, and education, while investing in communities disproportionately harmed by prohibition and problematic drug use. #nmleg #nmpol — NM House Democrats (@NMHouseDems) March 8, 2019

Shortly before the vote, Rep. Antonio Maestas tweeted : "Let's don't Bogart this bill any longer. Let's pass HB 356 and legalize recreational cannabis in New Mexico." He added that "prohibition … won't work now."

If adopted, the bill would create a sales model similar to those in Washington and Colorado, with a few exceptions. It would create state-run marijuana stores, which hasn't been done in other states but is a compromise with Republicans.

It would allow some private businesses to sell the drug for recreational purposes only if there wasn't a state-run store nearby.

The New Mexico Senate has until March 16 to pass the bill and, if passed, it will go into effect no later than July 1, 2020.

