cannabisnews.com: Legislators To Offer Bills on Marijuana Legislators To Offer Bills on Marijuana Posted by FoM on January 20, 2001 at 07:40:15 PT By S.U. Mahesh, Journal Capitol Bureau Source: Albuquerque Journal Two Albuquerque lawmakers, one a Democrat and the other a Republican, have agreed to sponsor two marijuana-related bills proposed by Gov. Gary Johnson. Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, agreed to sponsor the most controversial of the Republican governor's eight proposals: decriminalizing possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. Rep. Joe Thompson, R-Albuquerque, agreed to sponsor a bill that would allow the use of marijuana for treating certain patients suffering from cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma and some other illnesses. In a brief interview Thursday, McSorley confirmed he would sponsor the decriminalization bill in the Senate. He did not return phone calls requesting comment Thursday and Friday. McSorley was a member of Johnson's Drug Policy Advisory Group, which recommended drug policy changes focusing on prevention, education and treatment. Johnson proposed eight bills to revamp New Mexico's drug policies based on the group's recommendations. Along with medical marijuana and decriminalization, the proposals include reducing sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, implementing "harm reduction" policies and making syringes easily available for drug addicts. No House members have publicly confirmed if they would carry the marijuana decriminalization bill. The governor proposes to decriminalize possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana, treating it like a traffic violation that would be subject to a civil fine but no arrest, jail time or criminal record. Thompson said he has not found a House co-sponsor for his medical marijuana bill. But he added, "A lot of them indicated they would vote for the bill. ... More people have been encouraging than discouraging." A 1978 New Mexico law allows medical marijuana as part of a research project, but nothing has been funded for more than a decade. Thompson said he plans to introduce his medical marijuana bill as early as next week. His bill would allow physicians to recommend and patients to receive marijuana when medically appropriate. It also would allow the state to maintain a registry of patients approved for the treatment and their physicians. Steve Jenison, a physician with the Infectious Disease Bureau of the Health Department, said the medical marijuana bill probably would be similar to one enacted in Hawaii. The Hawaii law, Jenison said, allows a certified medical marijuana patient to buy the drug on the black market or cultivate small amounts at his or her home. Jenison guessed there are between 50 and 100 patients in New Mexico at any time who would qualify for medical marijuana. The Washington-based National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, began airing radio ads this week in support of the drug law changes.Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)Author: S.U. Mahesh, Journal Capitol BureauPublished: Saturday, January 20, 2001Copyright: 2001 Albuquerque JournalAddress: P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103Contact: opinion abqjournal.comWebsite: http://www.abqjournal.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Governor Gary Johnson's Home Pagehttp://www.governor.state.nm.us/Editorial: Drug-Law Reform: It's Time http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8373.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Governor Gary Johnsonhttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=gary+johnson Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by NiftySplifty on January 20, 2001 at 16:30:16 PT I've located my suitcase in the attic... I'm still waiting for things to go further before I pack up and move, but at least this news is quite affirming. I mean, a Republican and a MMJ proposal? Wow!Nifty... [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by meagain on January 20, 2001 at 14:13:48 PT The medicine ball is rolling! We need more people pushing the ball to win ! I really thank the people who are fighting for reform. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by drfist on January 20, 2001 at 10:40:47 PT between 50 and 100 people qualified???? what! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by TroutMask on January 20, 2001 at 09:51:15 PT Oh, Please!!! Though I'm agnostic, I find myself praying... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: