2021 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 30 - Criminal Offenses
Article 31 - Controlled Substances
Section 30-31-21 - Distribution to a minor.

Except as authorized by the Controlled Substances Act, no person who is eighteen years of age or older shall intentionally distribute a controlled substance to a person under the age of eighteen years. Any person who violates this section with respect to a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I, II, III or IV or a controlled substance analog of any controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I, II, III or IV is:

(1) for the first offense, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(2) for the second and subsequent offenses, guilty of a first degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

History: 1953 Comp., § 54-11-21, enacted by Laws 1972, ch. 84, § 21; 1974, ch. 9, § 2; 1980, ch. 23, § 2; 1987, ch. 68, § 3; 2021 (1st S.S.), ch. 4, § 66.

The 2021 (1st S.S.) amendment, effective June 29, 2021, removed the distribution of marijuana from the application of the section; and deleted former Subsection A and former subsection designation "B".

Constitutionality. — Sections 30-31-20 to 30-31-25 NMSA 1978, which define unlawful activities and provide penalties therefor, are not unconstitutional under N.M. Const., art. IV, § 16, because of the fact that "unlawful activities" are not mentioned in the title of the act. State v. Atencio, 1973-NMCA-110, 85 N.M. 484, 513 P.2d 1266, cert. denied, 85 N.M. 483, 513 P.2d 1265.

Greater penalty imposed on seller than on user. — The legislature clearly intended to impose greater penalties on the seller of a controlled substance than upon the user. State v. Sandoval, 1982-NMCA-091, 98 N.M. 417, 649 P.2d 485.

Distribution by mail. — Neither the federal constitution nor 18 U.S.C. § 1716 preempts New Mexico jurisdiction over distribution of controlled substances to a minor through the use of the mails. State v. McHorse, 1973-NMCA-144, 85 N.M. 753, 517 P.2d 75.

Law reviews. — For article, "The Confusing Law of Criminal Intent in New Mexico," see 5 N.M. L. Rev. 63 (1974).

For note and comment, "State v. Urioste: A Prosecutor's Dream and Defender's Nightmare," see 34 N.M. L. Rev. 517 (2004).

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Giving, selling or prescribing dangerous drugs as contributing to the delinquency of a minor, 36 A.L.R.3d 1292.