cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Bill Approved by the Senate Medical Marijuana Bill Approved by the Senate Posted by FoM on March 07, 2001 at 10:39:01 PT By Lowry McAllen, Tribune Reporter Source: Albuquerque Tribune Medical use of marijuana has won approval by the Senate but several supporters of the bill said they wouldn't vote for other parts of Gov. Gary Johnson's drug policy changes. And members of the Legislature could get a chance to take that stand in response to a vote from a House committee. The Senate passed a bill by a bipartisan vote of 29-12 Tuesday night to create a system for getting marijuana to patients with debilitating illnesses and to certify those patients' medical need. Sen. Mary Jane Garcia said her support would extend no further than a vote in favor of the medical bill. "This is probably the only one that I will support," said Garcia, a Las Cruces Democrat and the Senate majority whip. Sen. Steve Komadina said he was supporting the bill for medical reasons and was separating it in his mind from other drug policy changes in the governor's package. "This is not a drug issue; this is a medical issue," said Komadina, a Corrales Republican and a practicing physician. "I'm completely separating this issue from any other bills." Through the bill, SB 319, the Health Department will have to set up a system for assuring that marijuana doesn't get into the wrong hands and that those using it through its program are truly in need. The bill now heads to the House for approval during the current 60-day session of the Legislature. Amendments made to the bill on the floor of the Senate required creation of a photo identification for patients receiving marijuana for treatment. But the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Michael Sanchez, rose in opposition to the bill by saying that he had concerns over how the program would be run. Health Department Secretary Alex Valdez has said he feels confident his agency will be able to effectively control the distribution of marijuana. "I do not believe the state of New Mexico can do what it says it can do in this bill," Sanchez, a Belen Democrat, said. He also said the courts are, in practice, relatively lenient with those who possess a small supply of the drug. "I don't know when I've seen anyone prosecuted for a small amount of marijuana," said Sanchez, a trial lawyer. That court environment could now be changed by a bill that moved through the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee on Tuesday. The bill, HB 918, would eliminate criminal penalties for possessing one ounce of marijuana and replace those penalties with a $300 fine for the first and following offenses. Existing law imposes a 15-day jail sentence and a fine of $50-$100 for the first offense of marijuana possession. Subsequent offenses see a jail term of up to one year and a fine of up to $1,000, under current law. With H.B. 918, children under the age of 18 would still receive the existing jail times. The bill expands judges' powers to call for drug treatment and rehabilitation for young offenders. The Consumer and Public Affairs Committee sent the bill on to the House Judiciary Committee without a recommendation to either reject or approve the bill. One member of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Ron Godbey, said he'll fight to defeat the bill when it comes up for debate. "The penalties right now are so weak already," said Godbey, an Albuquerque Republican. "I'm going to argue long and hard against this bill." Note: The bill passed with a 29-12 vote; Still, opposition to many of Gov. Johnson's drug policies exists.Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)Author: Lowry McAllen, Tribune ReporterPublished: March 7, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Albuquerque TribuneAddress: P.O. Drawer T, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109Contact: letters abqtrib.comWebsite: http://www.abqtrib.com/Related Articles:Senate Backs Medical Marijuana Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8917.shtmlMarijuana Can Be Medicine, Senate Sayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8915.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by Jeaneous on March 07, 2001 at 12:36:39 PT: so so I'm very pleased to see this state senate actually working on ways to supply patients under state law. I just wish California Senators, being the first state to pass medicinal use, had been as reactive to the people's voices. They might be crying about it.... but at least they are doing as the people asked them to. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: