cannabisnews.com: Agonizing Wait Over Legalizing Marijuana Agonizing Wait Over Legalizing Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on March 18, 2005 at 11:37:26 PT By Shea Andersen, Tribune Reporter Source: Albuquerque Tribune Santa Fe -- For three days this week, a bill to legalize medical use of marijuana has appeared on the House schedule for a full floor vote - the final step to get it to the governor's desk. Each day, Essie Debonet sat in the chamber's public gallery and watched, trying not to throw up, while representatives wend their way through ponderous debates on other issues. "I'm angry," Debonet said Thursday, "and I'm tired." Debonet has AIDS. She is 60 years old and on as many as four medications a day to keep her alive. Each pill twists her digestive system in new and awful ways. "I'm nauseous 24-7," she said. "I don't remember what it feels like to not be nauseous." Debonet weighs 88 pounds. Her system is so ragged she can feel every little capsule she takes go down her throat. At her size, she suspects, they may even be visible. She is hoping, she said, to see New Mexico make history and legalize the use of marijuana, something she is already doing illegally to survive. It helps her keep food down. "Medical marijuana for me is a matter of severe life and death," she said. She was joined, two of the three days she came up from Albuquerque, by Erin Armstrong, who at 23 is about to celebrate the six-year anniversary of her first surgery for thyroid cancer. Armstrong, like Debonet, has traveled from Albuquerque to talk with lawmakers about medical marijuana. She does so in a voice far too rough for a woman her age, a result of her surgery. The two of them drive up through the snow. They take up seats in the House gallery. And they wait. And wait. Eight hours on Monday. Five hours on Tuesday. Six hours on Wednesday. "That, I can tell you, is exhaustion personified," Debonet said. Both hope that a measure sponsored by Sen. Cisco McSorley, an Albuquerque Democrat, will do what it did in the Senate and pass. Gov. Bill Richardson has said he will sign the measure if it gets to him. That's "if." So far, the House has not voted on the measure. "It's shameful," Debonet said. "They play with my life like this." Armstrong thinks a moment about the delays and clears her throat. "It's just very difficult for people who are sick to sit through the process," said Armstrong, whose cancer is in remission, though she fears it won't last. On Thursday, Richardson renewed his call for the measure to make it to his desk. "I believe that there are enough safeguards in the bill," he said. "This is for those that are in extreme pain and danger. I would be prepared to sign it and urge lawmakers to pass it." McSorley's bill passed the Senate with dissenters worrying aloud that New Mexico would run afoul of federal drug laws if it sanctioned marijuana smoking. Also, Sen. Carroll Leavell, a Jal Republican, said legalizing pot would send the wrong message to kids. New Mexico would be the 11th state to allow medical use of marijuana if McSorley's bill becomes law. Under the bill, the state Health Department would license producers to provide marijuana, which would be grown in secure facilities. Patients whose doctors recommended it would apply to the department and, if approved by a review board of physicians, would be registered to possess the drug. But as its path to passage lengthens, Debonet has gone home. She is resting. She will monitor the debate from afar. "I'm hanging on to some shreds of hope," she said. "They can't be that cruel and inhumane." Note: Two women - one with AIDS, one whose cancer is in remission - suffered through the legislative process, hoping for relief.Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)Author: Shea Andersen, Tribune ReporterPublished: March 18, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Albuquerque TribuneContact: letters abqtrib.comWebsite: http://www.abqtrib.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmPolitics Stall Progress of Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20374.shtmlMedical Marijuana Passes Senate http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20307.shtmlSenate Endorses Three Medical Marijuana Bills http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20306.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #31 posted by FoM on March 19, 2005 at 21:11:02 PT Just To Let You All Know The New Mexico Medical Marijuana Bill wasn't decided and the session is closed now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by jose melendez on March 19, 2005 at 19:16:52 PT thanks! Thanks AOLbites, I should have noticed the contact info at the bottom . . . [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by AOLBites on March 19, 2005 at 19:02:37 PT ... i am like all of us here a watcher of the news who just is trying to bring availible information to those who can use it .. you might try the author of that page ... Rex Curry Attorney at Law in Tampa, FL. He can be reached via email at: lawyer (at) rexcurry.neti spotted the page on http://boingboing.net/ which has some very random and interesting stuff pop up all the time ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by siege on March 19, 2005 at 18:56:37 PT hemp oil what is nasty is the way they do things like carry a little bottle of hemp oil and mark the car with it, when they come up from behind it and put the touch on it. so the dog alerts this has been seen done in this area. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by jose melendez on March 19, 2005 at 15:17:22 PT AOLbites I'd like to sue DEA/ONDCP/FDA et al for unlawful restraint of trade, to end Mahmoud El Sohly's Mississippi marijuana monopoly and criminalize prohibition.I have some questions about how to obtain standing and structure the case so that existing law and precedent will expose any denial of such a case as fraud.Are you for hire, and can you help me in Florida? Please? RxPot.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on March 19, 2005 at 14:08:06 PT AOLBites A comment about drug dogs and dogs in general. I love dogs. We have two of them and they are very much a part of our lives. The noble dog has been a companion, does search and rescue work and can lead the blind. They can help people who are handicapped in various ways. They shouldn't be made to turn on man. They are special and I am offended by it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by AOLBites on March 19, 2005 at 13:34:24 PT Drug dogs are covers for lies DRUG DOGS ARE COVERS FOR LIESState's Supreme Court curbs drug dogs after U.S. Supreme Court let the dogs out. Florida's Supreme Court let stand restrictions on drug dogs, after the U.S. Supreme Court loosened leashes. http://rexcurry.net/drugdogsmain.html The nation's top court let cops take dogs fishing for drugs in Illinois v Caballes. Florida allows other avenues for relief in Florida v Matheson http://rexcurry.net/drugdogsflorida.pdf (3-3-05) and the very libertarian decision at http://rexcurry.net/drugdogs2dca.pdf (the appellate case below). I am the attorney who argued the original motion to suppress for Matheson.Drug dogs are covers for lies. Here's how - http://rexcurry.net/drugdogsmain.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on March 19, 2005 at 10:46:41 PT Patrick You're welcome. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Patrick on March 19, 2005 at 10:42:47 PT messages to kids part 2 Attention lawmakersWhere is the message to kids about compassion for people like Essie Debonet?Where is the message to kids that we want to get rid of the illegal marijuana trade?Where is the message to kids that legalizing cannabis takes the control of Essie Debonet’s medicine out of the hands of criminals?Where is the message to kids that lets them know when they become an adult they will have freedoms over their own body?Where is the message to kids that using things like marijuana, alcohol, and cigarettes is something to be discussed openly with parents and doctors?My message to kids is this, you are unique and special and that is why adults argue about the best way to keep you safe from harm until you are mature enough to protect yourself from the things in this world that can hurt you. It’s really that simple.My message to lawmakers is our kids are more in danger from illegal drug market violence than they are of marijuana plants. So please, I beg you to end this useless waste of resources in the prohibition of cannabis. My message to lawmakers is our kids can be taught to make smart choices in life. Why should one of the choices they have to make growing up be “should I make lots of money selling pot on the street to kids and sick people?”Many thanks again to you FoM for this forum! [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on March 19, 2005 at 10:09:00 PT afterburner and Patrick I just got this in the mail post marked March 15, 2005.Stamped on the front of the brown manila envelope from Mr. Blackwell.It says: Voter Registration DocumentsPlease Do Not Delay.Patrick just a comment. I find using the word drugs instead of marijuana or cannabis gives them ammunition since many people are against hard drug use even in the reform areas. It's not something that everyone agrees with. Just a suggestion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by afterburner on March 19, 2005 at 09:54:46 PT The Young Need to Learn How to Vote... Will You Help Them?I've recently encountered many young people who do NOT want to be on the Voter's List. When I ask them why, they say things like "I don't know how [to vote]." Don't they teach civics anymore? No wonder voting is often dominated by old out-worn ideas. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on March 19, 2005 at 09:31:08 PT Patrick I know what you mean. When the rebellion of the 60s occurred it was born out of hypocrisy. They don't care about young people or anyone just what keeps money coming in from big business. Money is the morality of today just like it was before the 60s generation saw thru it all. There is nothing new under the sun. If we don't learn from history we will repeat it. We are. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Patrick on March 19, 2005 at 09:21:45 PT Sending a message to the kids I for one am getting sick of hearing politicians whine that the legalizing of medical marijuana sends the wrong message to kids… Also, Sen. Carroll Leavell, a Jal Republican, said legalizing pot would send the wrong message to kids.You know what message I think the kids get when they hear comments like that? They get the message that a vote doesn’t matter. They get the message that stupid laws are impossible to change. They get the message that politicians control us rather than serve us. They get the message that more money is spent on the Drug War than the Sex Offender War. I think those messages are only the tip of the iceberg of the messages that kids get about the “war” on marijuana. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on March 19, 2005 at 07:55:22 PT goneposthole and mayan Bush has succeeded in getting people in line. I don't know how to say it any other way. I am not just starting out and won't have my life heavily influenced by him and his administration. The college kids of this time will be the ones that will need to change this course because it will effect them. Many of us here had our eyes opened a long time ago and we aren't as shocked. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by siege on March 19, 2005 at 07:53:03 PT Police sniff out Bluffton High she said.When the dog sniffed out an item of interest, the bag or purse and the student were sent to Rhone-Bush, who searched it.The dogs had 12 hits in the school, none of them for drugs."Dogs are dogs," Rhone-Bush said, and they are attracted to many different scents. The canine investigators turned up lunches, rotten bananas, fashion magazines with scented inserts and some Pop Tarts, she said.http://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/story/4702730p-4344964c.htmlContact Diane Knich at 706-8141 or dknich islandpacket.com. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by goneposthole on March 19, 2005 at 07:33:34 PT some pertinent words from hippy.com The sick and dying have company. They're not alone. Just another method of torture used by the US gov. The disabled veterans are in the same boat for the same reasons. It has been a while since I had visited hippy.com and I found this:http://www.hippy.com/php/article-258.html It's an eye opener.Looks kind of like a parallel situation. When you pay your master for your 'security', he will remind you of how you must obey. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by mayan on March 19, 2005 at 05:34:36 PT Interesting It IS quite interesting that news of the possible reclassification of cannabis hits the headlines as thousands of freedom loving people around the world are protesting in the streets on the second anniversary of the Iraq war. I just found at least a dozen articles pertaining to this review and none of them had online polls. I know it's Saturday folks but we can make some noise just like any other day!Here's the link to the BBC again. I already sent my comment to them. They just started posting the comments!Should cannabis be reclassified? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4363941.stm [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by mayan on March 19, 2005 at 05:03:51 PT The Sky Didn't Fall It looks like Britain might de-reclassify cannabis.Cannabis law faces review: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,2763,1441316,00.htmlE-mail a comment to the BBC...Should cannabis be reclassified? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4363941.stmCannabis rethink 'will not affect drug prescription': http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/03/19/ucannabis.xml&sSheet=/portal/2005/03/19/ixportaltop.htmlIt figures this would make news on a Saturday! The second anniversary of "Shock" & "Awe" no less!THE ONLY WAY OUT...The Hidden Hand Of The CIA, 9/11 And Popular Mechanics: http://rense.com/general63/brutalpurgeofPMstaff.htmThe Perfect Terrorist Plan To Level The Twin Towers Created In 1976: http://rense.com/general63/TWIN.HTM [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by mayan on March 18, 2005 at 17:51:35 PT Cruel & Inhumane Debonet weighs 88 pounds. Her system is so ragged she can feel every little capsule she takes go down her throat. At her size, she suspects, they may even be visible. She is hoping, she said, to see New Mexico make history and legalize the use of marijuana, something she is already doing illegally to survive. It helps her keep food down. "Medical marijuana for me is a matter of severe life and death," she said.Just what kind of people would deny this woman the only medicine that can help her??? "I'm hanging on to some shreds of hope," she said. "They can't be that cruel and inhumane."Sadly, they can. They have been for decades!!! I would not want to be a prohibitionist come judgement day. THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Plus Ça Change . . . A Template for the U.S. War in Iraq: http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20050318145510836Secret US plans for Iraq's oil: http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20050318154758650Alex Jones at Ground Zero: The Use Of Explosives In the 9/11 Attack: http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/march2005/180305groundzero.htmTerror Timeline Author Profiled by Top New Zealand Paper: http://911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=503&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0Western Air Defense Sector Gets 1998 Scramble Award: http://911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=504&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on March 18, 2005 at 17:36:15 PT siege That case you mentioned is complicated. Issues like death with dignity or the right to die are so delicate and I believe no two cases will ever be exactly the same. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by siege on March 18, 2005 at 17:28:06 PT no feeding tubes or life support It's like the case in Nashville Tn the man die and had all his papers to say let him go no feeding tubes or life support and his wife got a Judge to sign the order to keep him alive and she die before she got to see him and that was 1990 the hospital has trade to get the court to remove the tubes and live support and the court won't.(let the soul go home.) maybe the big judge in the sky should put the judge down and put feeding tubes in him for decade and decade and let him rot. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by BGreen on March 18, 2005 at 16:23:27 PT This Is Sick! 750,000 able bodied humans are arrested and placed in legal limbo, some caged for the rest of their lives, all for the miraculous cannabis plant, but the same son of a bitches in this government fight to keep this dead girl alive.This is a quote from the show "Roseanne" when Darlene had her baby, but its source doesn't detract from its meaning:"We're not bodies with souls, we're souls with bodies."Let's keep the healthy bodies FREE and let's let the dead bodies die so the soul can be free.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on March 18, 2005 at 15:50:54 PT Just a Comment When I re-read my comment it sounds harsh and I sure don't mean for what I said to be harsh. It's very sad when a case like this happens. The right to life versus the right to personal choice when it comes to death is hard. We have the ability to keep a person alive for a long time with feeding tubes and respirators etc. Not many people talk about these issues but we really should. It doesn't matter if we're young or old we still need to think and decide when we have our facilities. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by siege on March 18, 2005 at 15:49:31 PT Alasks marijuana bill Judges said that * Congress * can not over rule it's decision of years of ruling. FL. case. So if this is the case where doze Alasks new bill stand against marijuana. or are they Congress just going to cover it up like every thing else. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by siege on March 18, 2005 at 15:23:52 PT OFF TOPIC Judges Judges said that * Congress * can not over rule it's *decision * of years of ruling. FL. case. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 18, 2005 at 15:07:22 PT AgaetisByrjun I don't have an opinion on Mrs. Schiavo's case. It's one that no one can win. Life and death decisions are so complex that no absolute right or wrong can be determined. It's very sad. You should have a living will if you don't want extraordinary means to sustain your life. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by AgaetisByrjun on March 18, 2005 at 14:50:59 PT Unrelated To everyone here, I just have one thing that's on my mind:PLEASE, write down your wishes before you could possibly go on life support. They've just taken the feeding tube out of Mrs. Schiavo (the brain-dead woman in Florida), and although I supported the decision, I just had to groan, because there's inevitably going to be a murder or a wrongful death trial, which will be a political powderkeg and will probably drag out for months. And it's ALL completely unnecessary.God, I wish this would be over with. I'm getting some sense of what AIDS activists feel, because they know that millions of people are condemned to death for their own mistakes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 18, 2005 at 11:56:57 PT Anger I work very hard at not getting angry. Sometimes it's very difficult. This articles makes it hard for me to not lose my temper. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment