Friday December 19, 2019 PRESS RELEASE A whopping three in four likely voters support New Mexico legalizing cannabis in the 2020 legislative session, a new poll finds. Polling commissioned by the Governor’s Legalization Working Group sampled 1,005 likely voters statewide. It found that 73% initially support legislation without any messaging, including a majority of voters in every part of New Mexico support legalization, including a majority of both 2016 Michelle Lujan Grisham and Steve Pearce voters. Support grew to 75% after learning of the working group’s recommendations. The poll conducted November 26 - December 2 by Change Research on behalf of the legalization working group asked voters for their opinion on legalization and specific recommendations for legalization proposed by group whose report was released earlier this year. Among the key findings: 73% of likely voters initially support legalization without any other question or information. A majority - 52% - strongly support it. Support increased to 75% after hearing recommendations and concerns about legalization.

A majority of voters in all 3 Congressional districts and all 5 parts of New Mexico - all 4 corners and central NM - support legislation to legalize.

Though most New Mexicans say they are not likely to be customers, voters are most likely to support legalization because it is expected to create 11,000 new jobs, raises funds for important programs like law enforcement and healthcare, and makes medical cannabis more accessible to those who need it.

70% of voters 35 or under want to work in a cannabis business or know someone who does.

Voters strongly support using new cannabis tax revenue to increase investments in behavioral health, education and law enforcement. “In this day and age, getting 75-percent of people to agree on the day of the week is hard if we make it political. For this many New Mexicans to say it’s time to do this is remarkable. Support for legalization is stronger in New Mexico than any state polled this year,” says Pat Davis, Albuquerque City Councilor and head of the working group. “Whether they want to see us create industries that keep young families at home, or because they want to increase investments in law enforcement and behavioral health, New Mexicans everywhere say it’s time to legalize.” “One of the strongest reasons to support legalization is the economic impact for struggling farmers, small family businesses and millennial entrepreneurs,” says Davis. Legalization will create an estimated 11,000 new jobs for communities statewide. Legalization provides opportunities for struggling rural farmers to diversify by adding cannabis. Legalization also creates thousands of opportunities for family-owned small businesses, including local manufacturers and family-run commercial kitchens, to create and sell products. The working group recommended using new cannabis revenue to create new law enforcement grants, subsidize and lower the cost of medical cannabis, expand investments in behavioral health, and invest in at-risk communities. Legislators are currently working to turn the recommendations into legislation to be filed for the 2020 legislative session beginning in January.