cannabisnews.com: Senate Backs Medical Marijuana Bill Senate Backs Medical Marijuana Bill Posted by FoM on March 07, 2001 at 07:56:19 PT By Deborah Baker, The Associated Press Source: Albuquerque Journal The Senate on Tuesday voted to legalize the medical use of marijuana by New Mexicans with debilitating illnesses. The proposal — part of Gov. Gary Johnson's package of drug reform proposals — was approved on a vote of 29-12. It goes to the House. "We are trying to help very, very sick people... who are in deep pain, who are having trouble coping with life," said Sen. Roman Maes, D-Santa Fe, the bill's sponsor. Maes estimated that between 100 and 200 people in the state may be able to qualify for the program. The Department of Health would create and administer the program, and certify the patients who would be eligible. Certified patients and their caregivers would be protected from criminal prosecution for possessing the marijuana — called "cannabis" in the bill. The Senate adopted an amendment, however, that requires the program to be administered in accordance with federal law. "Under federal law, we cannot grow marijuana, distribute it or sell it," said Sen. William Payne, R-Albuquerque, who proposed the change. That appeared to preclude the Department of Health from distributing marijuana, leaving patients to obtain it on their own, unless federal law was changed. Department officials said they would have to determine precisely what the health agency could do in light of the amendment. "I feel comfortable with the way the bill was passed out of the Senate," said Health Secretary Alex Valdez. The bill had bipartisan support, with 20 Democrats and nine Republicans voting for it. Eight Republicans and four Democrats opposed it. Its supporters insisted that voting for the medical use of marijuana did not signal support for Johnson's other drug proposals. "This is not a drug issue. This is a medical issue," said Sen. Steve Komadina, R-Corrales, a physician. Doctors need another pharmacological weapon in their arsenals to treat patients, he said. "This is really about alleviating unnecessary suffering... something I went into business to help prevent," said Sen. Allen Hurt, R-Waterflow, who is also a physician. Debilitating medical conditions include cancer, AIDS and glaucoma. Patients' physicians would have to certify they had a condition that qualified. An advisory board of nine physicians recommended by the New Mexico Medical Society would advise the health department. The medical society endorsed the legislation. "Certainly I do not support the legalization of any drug," said Sen. Don Kidd, R-Carlsbad. But he said he favored giving cancer patients in pain "a little comfort and a few hours of peace." Opponents said the program wasn't workable, flew in the face of federal law, and was the first step toward more liberalized drug laws. "The federal government hasn't cleared the way for anybody in America to legally use marijuana," objected Sen. Kent Cravens, R-Albuquerque. The Senate adopted a series of other changes aimed at tightening up the bill — requiring patients to have a photo ID, for example, and ensuring that if federal law ever cleared the way for marijuana to be grown for the program, it would be done in a secure facility. But the Senate rejected a proposal to restrict the marijuana to forms other than smoking — such as pills or cream. It was offered by Sen. Ramsay Gorham, R-Albuquerque, who said she was concerned that liberalizing drug laws would lead to increased drug use by youngsters. "This is the nose of the camel under the tent," Gorham said. Advocates of medical marijuana will push for the legalization of heroin and cocaine, she contended. "I would like to have the ability to use the form that I think would help my patient the most," Komadina said. The bill repeals a law that has not been used in two decades, which allows the medical use of marijuana but only in conjunction with a research program. The Republican governor's other proposals include the decriminalization of possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, reduced penalties for possession of some other drugs, and an overhaul of the state's asset forfeiture law. "I do hope this is as far as we go," said Senate Republican Leader Stuart Ingle of Portales, who voted for the bill. Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)Author: Deborah Baker, The Associated Press Published: March 6, 2001 Copyright: 2001 Albuquerque JournalAddress: P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103Contact: opinion abqjournal.comWebsite: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Related Articles:Marijuana Can Be Medicine, Senate Sayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8915.shtmlMedical-Marijuana Bill Goes To Senate http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8848.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by observer on March 07, 2001 at 10:39:35 PT ''This is the nose of the camel under the tent'' "This is the nose of the camel under the tent," Gorham said. Advocates of medical marijuana will push for the legalization of heroin and cocaine, she contended. [7.] Policy Options are Presented as Total Prohibition or Total Access . . .As bills are introduced to lower criminal penalties for various illicit drugs, one can anticipate any number of legislators standing to attack reduced penalties as an invitation for use and a first step toward legalization of drug X. 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