cannabisnews.com: Medical Pot Bill Dies in House





Medical Pot Bill Dies in House
Posted by CN Staff on March 09, 2007 at 08:30:27 PT
By Kate Nash 
Source: Albuquerque Tribune
Santa Fe, New Mexico -- In her hoarse voice, Erin Armstrong has talked at committee hearings about suffering through thyroid cancer. She has spoken to lawmakers one on one and to reporters. Her message: Marijuana can help ease the suffering of the sickest among us.But Armstrong, 25, could say next to nothing Thursday after the House on a 33-36 vote killed a measure that would allow chronically ill patients to use marijuana for medical purposes.
"Terribly disappointed and devastated," she said, surrounded by her mom and a crowd of equally teary-eyed friends and lawmakers.As soon as the vote was complete, a downtrodden Armstrong left the House floor to be folded into several silent embraces.But Armstrong and other advocates for the bill said they'll keep working on a measure until the Legislature approves one. Time ran out on a similar measure last year."We'll try it until it gets through," Armstrong said. "We're not going to give up on the state's patient community."The bill, approved early on by the Senate, sat on the House calendar for seven days before it was heard.Opponents included Republicans who said the measure runs contrary to federal law. And several Republican representatives proposed amendments to the bill, all of which failed during the almost three-hour debate."It's nothing more than a way for people to get illegal drugs," said Rep. Larry Larranaga, an Albuquerque Republican.Proponents said patients would need doctor approval and an identification card to participate in the program.Larranaga also wanted to amend the bill, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, an Albuquerque Democrat, to prohibit the state from paying for any lawsuits that arise from the program."We shouldn't be using any state funds to defend any cases that come up," he said.Larranaga also said he's concerned the state could lose federal crime-fighting money should it pass the law.Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas, an Albuquerque Democrat who carried the measure in the House for Ortiz y Pino, said none of the 12 states with similar laws have lost any funding.But the vote wasn't totally along party lines, as other Republicans supported the bill, which Gov. Bill Richardson had said he'd sign.House Minority Whip Dan Foley, a Roswell Republican, urged the House to vote for the measure."Compassion isn't a Republican or Democrat issue; it's about doing what's right."Patty Jennings, a breast cancer survivor who supports the bill, said she was disappointed in the outcome."People who are not there don't always understand that we're asking for support to have all the options available to us."Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)Author: Kate Nash Published: Friday, March 9, 2007 Copyright: 2007 The Albuquerque TribuneContact: letters abqtrib.comWebsite: http://www.abqtrib.com/Related Articles:Marijuana Bill Snuffedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22728.shtmlMedical Marijuana Measure Clears Senate Againhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22612.shtml
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Comment #16 posted by whig on March 09, 2007 at 23:20:38 PT
clarifying
I appreciate his good intentions and support, but he must demonstrate he can be effective for medical marijuana, and we are not just important but critical to the forming of consensus, given the populations of all the pacific coast states are absolutely going to demand respect from the feds under a new administration.
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Comment #15 posted by whig on March 09, 2007 at 23:11:58 PT
Richardson
He knows, and he is correct, if he does not persuade the NM legislature to get this bill passed, he is not a serious candidate for president.
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Comment #14 posted by BGreen on March 09, 2007 at 19:59:27 PT
Suing the feds
I have a friend who is a very successful attorney in SW Missouri and we were talking about lawsuits against the state and federal governments.He gave examples of some of his cases that seemed to be clear cases of criminal negligence and certain wins, but he said it was almost impossible to win a case because they have all of the taxpayers money to use against your limited resources, virtually guaranteeing your ultimate defeat. That's why we fear our government instead of them fearing us, the way it is supposed to be.That doesn't mean we shouldn't at least try, no matter how hopeless it may seem.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on March 09, 2007 at 18:04:31 PT
mayan
I personally expect a lot out of the Democrats (that's why I voted for them) but I don't expect much out of the Republicans. Hopefully Governor Richardson can revive the Bill. At least he is giving it a try.
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Comment #12 posted by mayan on March 09, 2007 at 17:10:33 PT
RepubliCrats
I hate to say it, but what did anyone expect? 
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on March 09, 2007 at 16:34:32 PT
Governor Says He's Trying To Revive MMJ Bill
Governor Says He's Trying To Revive Medical Marijuana Bill
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March 9, 2007SANTA FE -- Governor Richardson says he's meeting with lawmakers to try to revive a medical in an effort to resurrect a medical marijuana bill.The House narrowly defeated the measure last night.But Richardson says it's important to pass it.By midday today, he had talked one-on-one with at least five House members to try to get them to change their votes.He says he also plans to talk to House Speaker Ben Lujan -- who opposes the bill.Richardson -- who is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president -- says he wants the medical marijuana legislation.It would authorize the use of marijuana by patients certified under a Department of Health program.Copyright: 2007 The Associated Presshttp://www.newschannel10.com/global/story.asp?s=6206256
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Comment #10 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 09, 2007 at 13:29:30 PT
State Legislatures Need A Close Look
So, if we elect four different representatives in New Mexico during the next election, these insolent bastards won't be around to vote no on medical marijuana. it's not that hard to bump a state legislator. Some of them get elected with 1,500 votes.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on March 09, 2007 at 12:03:59 PT
dongenero
That's a good point. I don't if that has ever been tried though.
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Comment #8 posted by dongenero on March 09, 2007 at 12:01:59 PT
sue the Feds
I wonder why no one sues the Feds to gain access to the federal medical marijuana program that Irv Rosenfeld and others ore on?It is always said, so absolutely, that the Federal Government does not recognize the medical use of cannabis when in fact they have an ongoing program!How can they treat some select few and deny other citizens the same medical care?If nothing else it would spotlight the duality of the Government's position. It seems as though it could be a good lever to force open dialogue at the federal level.It's well documented the the federal cannabis is an inferior product but still, it would raise awareness that the Feds do indeed support medical use of cannabis.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on March 09, 2007 at 11:58:23 PT
museman
It is very hard for people who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth but some people like Neil Young have been able to put things in the proper order. As far as money goes we need it to eat and we need it to have a roof over our head. I had a good deal of money for a time in my adult life and afterburner asked me how did I like it. I told him I didn't. I had lots of stuff but that doesn't make life happier. Happiness comes from within.
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Comment #6 posted by museman on March 09, 2007 at 11:49:54 PT
FoM
It is an individual journey. As long as one's individual journey doesn't run over everything in it's path. Tolerance of differing opinion is in short supply and needs to grow, but there should be no tolerance for fascism, or the satifsfaction and comfort of the few over the many. I disagree with your statement about the 'importance' of money, and I think that illustrates the problem. Money is a 'fact' of this system, an unfortunate situation that all have to acknowledge and deal with, but it's 'importance' is relatively low on the scale of reality. Not only is it un-important in the greater scheme of things, but the idea that it is, is part of the problem. The doctrine of this society is false. It's moralities are flawed greatly, and it's direction is straight down.The natural world has been made unaccessible (except in the proscribed fashion of the establishment) therefore the natural abilities of man to live on the earth healthily, and with providence have been stifled and banned. That dosen't change the unsupported reality that without the current system in place, without the need for greed, life exists along with a much more accessible matrix of loving behavior, and if mankind would get over his essential false arrogant belief that he can do better than God in his own works, then everyone will see just how false this system of weights and measures really is.I understand you, and I'm sure that I do not disagree with your heart or intent, and as much as I would like a life of comfort and luxury myself, I thank God that I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth, not silver or gold. It's so much easier to let go, when you don't have it in the first place.
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on March 09, 2007 at 11:45:06 PT
bad bill
I didn't realize the self-growing clause had been removed. Even if this passed, it never would have taken effect. No way New Mexico is going to grow cannabis, no way the feds would allow it. The feds won't even allow it for research, let alone actual use by patients.I hope it wasn't DPA that produced this bad bill.  They need to get their act together, they should have allowed it to die in committee rather than advance with the growing clause removed.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 09, 2007 at 11:19:22 PT
museman
I understand what you are saying. For me personally it is an individual journey. I think what good can I do today. It's a value journey. When I die I want to go in peace and not have too many regrets. What we do and how we direct our lives does touch other people. Money is important to live and make a life for ourselves but we need to walk that thin line and never lose our balance. One good deed can start a ripple like when a stone is thrown in the water. Just lighting one little candle is a good beginning.
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Comment #3 posted by museman on March 09, 2007 at 11:06:14 PT
FoM
Yes it is. And the real money hungry bastards are rarely ever seen while their paid lackeys do their dirty work. I do recognize them in their new Caddy's and their Nancy Reagan hairdos, and their haughtiness.You know I have to say that I've seen some change in a few peoples attitude. I measure it by the way they react to those unfortunate homeless standing on the corner with signs. The last few times I've encountered the situation, other folks besides my family and myself actually got charitable!And the sincere grattitude of those (homeless -needing)people is a very very warm feeling. The core values are just going to have to change, or the past 7 years are going to seem like a slight discomfort compared to the all wholesale pain and suffering that will come of not changing.Unfortunately no one seems to be able to come up with a suitable or acceptable replacement. Too much dependency on the failed system. And just like in my last posted song, like Nicodemos, those money mongers just won't let go. What do we do with them? We can't do what they do, which is make war on everyone and everything that threatens their little status quo.I know what to do, stop giving them agreement for their world of false values. Stop kissing their rich asses. Stop allowing them to get away with thinking that they are somehow better than the rest of us because of their pedigree, and their propriety. Demonstrate that all the highest qualities of humanity reside within people who haven't traded their souls for their lifestyles, and the lowest form of human expression is the smirk of a rich man, and the arrogance of 'breeding.'Show that happiness comes not from things, or the symbols of things -happiness and joy do not nor have they ever come from material posession, they come from humans sharing goodness. Show that you cannot regulate, legislate, or control another's reality without entering into abomination and blasphemy.People are starting to realize that if they just stand up for the truth a bit more, and stop giving in to city hall, a whole lot of BS falls by the wayside.The government, and it's ruling class social club, is the greatest perpetration of crimes of humanity, and always has been. What have the people always 'revolted' against? Tyranny? Well yes, but what are the roots of tyranny? What political revolutions did not have an emotional heart and agenda of dis-empowering the rich and royal? - the ones that you never heard of, that never achieved any movement. Why? Because the poor, and the struggling have always outnumbered the few wealthy masters, and whether they had a good intellectual understanding of the situation or not, they always knew in their gut where the problem really is.Sooner or later mankind is going to grow enough to throw off the ancient shackles, but while so many continue to put on their slave collars every day (suits and ties), allow the system to syphon away their life and time for a fistful of dollars, the perpetuation of darkness, ignorance, and abuse of powers that no one should have ever had in the first place will continue relatively unchanged and unabated.The question is, are enough people really waking up, or is it just the mob following popular trends? This is my wonder. I want so badly to focus on building and applying solutions, but the foundation on which we would build is so full and cluttered with all this falseness being clinged to by fearful people, that there just is no clear, stable ground to place the first corner stone, the one 'that the builders rejected.'
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on March 09, 2007 at 11:02:15 PT
Related Article from The Associated Press 
House Rejects Bill To Legalize Medical Use of Marijuana 
 *** 
  
 
By Barry Massey, The Associated Press March 9, 2007 A proposal to legalize the medical use of marijuana failed Thursday in the House, dashing hopes of advocates who had picked up the support of Gov. Bill Richardson for the measure.The Senate previously had approved the proposal, and it would have gone to the governor had it cleared the House. Richardson had said he would sign the proposal into law.But the House narrowly rejected the bill, with 36 voting against it and 33 supporting it.Opponents disputed that marijuana was an effective medicine. "Medically it just really has no value. For us to approve a drug like this tells our children and tells the rest of the people in this state that we, somehow as leaders, give tacit approval to the use of this drug," said Rep. John Heaton, D-Carlsbad and a pharmacist. "That is absolutely wrong for us to do."He described marijuana as "the No. 1 gateway drug to abusing other drugs in our society." 
 
 
 
 
The proposal would have allowed the use of marijuana for pain or other symptoms of debilitating illnesses such as cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV-AIDS and certain spinal-cord injuries.Supporters said marijuana could help patients who don't respond to other treatment, such as an individual who suffers from nausea because of treatments for cancer."If it offers one person ... the pain relief or the help they need, who are we in this body to say no?" said House Republican Whip Dan Foley of Roswell.Under the legislation, the Health Department would establish a system for patients to obtain marijuana. A doctor or other health-care provider would certify to the agency that someone suffers from a qualifying illness.Patients could not grow marijuana, as in some states that have legalized medical marijuana. The department would have been responsible for licensing marijuana providers who would produce it in "facilities within New Mexico housed on secured grounds."Opponents of the bill said marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and patients in New Mexico could be subject to potential federal prosecution.But Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas, D-Albuquerque, said it was the legal responsibility of the state to regulate the practice of medicine within its boundaries. "I think these issues are better left to local practitioners and ill patients than federal bureaucrats," he said.Initially, the bill failed on a 33-33 tie vote. However, lawmakers immediately reconsidered, and then the measure failed 33-36.Despite the House vote, advocates vowed to continue their efforts."We'll try it till it gets through. We're not going to give up on the state's patient community," said Erin Armstrong, a 25-year-old cancer victim after whom the legislation was named."This is a matter of compassion. It's a very personal matter," said Patty Jennings, the wife of Sen. Tim Jennings, D-Roswell. She is battling cancer and taking morphine, which she said is much more powerful and dangerous than marijuana would be. "People who are not there don't always understand that we're asking ... to have all the options available to us."Unless states are willing to step forward and challenge the federal government on the issue, the federal policy will never be changed, she said.The medical marijuana bill is Senate Bill 238. Copyright: 2007 Associated Presshttp://www.freenewmexican.com/news/58263.html
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 09, 2007 at 08:38:51 PT
It's Always About Money
Excerpt: Larranaga also said he's concerned the state could lose federal crime-fighting money should it pass the law.
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