Judge tells DOH to read his lips

Courts say a second time that New Mexico must issue cannabis cards to out-of-state residents

Let’s try this again

Remember how the Word told you that a judge ruled that, due to some weird wording in the law passed during this year's Legislative session, out-of-state residents are eligible for medical cannabis cards in New Mexico? Remember how we then said that the state Department of Health decided to ignore the court and would refuse to issue them, pending review? Well, that review has come, sort of, in the form of District Judge Bryan Biedscheid refusing to reconsider the case ($ TNM). For the time being, then, medpot cards are available to qualifying non-New Mexicans, unless the Department of Health decides to appeal the decision.

New Mexico won’t roll back

While the Environmental Protection Agency has rolled back vehicle emissions standards and future goals for efficiency, New Mexico's governor wants to take the opposite approach and impose stricter standards in our state. New state rules would apply to cars beginning in model year 2022 sold in New Mexico, and would likely increase the average fuel economy to 52 mpg ($ TNM), whereas the EPA rolled back national standards to 37 mpg by 2022. Fourteen other states have adopted clean car standards.

Who’s the loser now

We told you yesterday about some impending closures at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center over the next few months, but one of the more unique reasons has come to light: "Sources say" the reality show The Biggest Loser will be filming at the pool ($ TNM) all day Friday, closing it to outside patrons.

Do it for the kids

Santa Fe's Southside has made do so far with the Zona Del Sol center for youth, but it's become clear as the area's population booms that a separate facility is needed for teens. Though funding isn't secured and building plans have not yet been chosen, the nonprofit EarthCare will work with local teens to figure out what they want and need from the center, and programming will be developed before the center is even open.

Airbnb: Villain or virtuous?

Airbnb has been a serious problem in cities like Santa Fe that have seen long-term leases for locals give way to short-term rentals for tourists, contributing to our housing crisis. But for struggling mountain towns set in beautiful locations perfect for outdoor recreators and day-trip adventurers, Airbnb could be their new bread and butter. Folks with family homes dating back to mining days or even land grant days in the village of Questa are turning to the short-term rental service to keep their lives viable in the hometown they love.

Journalists do it right

Speaking of outdoor recreation, New Mexico has its very first head of an outdoor recreation office, as promised by our new gov when she took office nearly 10 months ago. Axie Navas, a journalist formerly of Outside magazine, began work Monday. As leader of the Office of Outdoor Recreation, which is part of the Economic Development Department, Navas is charged with boosting outdoor-based tourism and recreation, promoting environmental preservation and recruiting out-of-state outdoor businesses to New Mexico.

Burn burn burn

The weather this week has been a little iffy, but know that a prescribed burn may be in the works now or soon in the Santa Fe Watershed. So if you smell smoke (and you're not cooking), that could be what's going on. And remember you can always get the latest fire info at nmfireinfo.com.

Go outside

Temps creep up slightly today, with a possible high of 78. By way of comparison, yesterday was a balmy 73.

Thanks for reading! The Word wonders how much sparkle is too much sparkle, assuming there even is such a thing.

Letters to the Editor

Mail letters to PO Box 4910 Santa Fe, NM 87502 or email them to editor[at]sfreporter.com. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specific articles in the Reporter. Letters will be edited for space and clarity.

We also welcome you to follow SFR on social media (on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and comment there. You can also email specific staff members from our contact page.