Cannabis News Students for Sensible Drug Policy
  Drug Reformers Put Spin on Defeat
Posted by FoM on February 14, 2002 at 23:04:46 PT
By Gilbert Gallegos, Tribune Reporter 
Source: Albuquerque Tribune 

justice Former Gov. Toney Anaya tried to put a good face on the drug law reform effort, which again this year mainly failed in the Legislature. Anaya, a lobbyist for the organization pushing to reform drug laws, continued to make his case to legislators up until the last possible moment.

But he acknowledged that key drug policy bills that were championed by Gov. Gary Johnson did not survive. As the 30-day session came to a close today at noon, Anaya was left looking at the bright side of efforts to ease drug laws.

"One of the good consequences of Gov. Johnson raising the debate is not just educating the Legislature on the failure of current drug laws," Anaya, a Democrat, said. "I think this debate educated Gov. Johnson on the consequences of these types of laws across the board."

Johnson, for example, once vetoed a bill that would allow police to seize assets only of people convicted of drug possession. The current law allows police to take items, such as cars and cash, from people who are only arrested for certain crimes.

But Johnson embraced the bill this year, and he is expected to sign the measure if it gets to his desk.

Opponents who helped kill many of the drug bills framed their effort as a victory.

Sen. Ramsay Gorham said the strong resistance from drug law reform opponents was a significant factor this year in defeating the measures.

"I think, considering last year, what's new this year is you saw a voice on the other side," said Gorham, a North Valley Republican, who helped lead the charge against the drug bills.

Gorham's husband, Frank Gorham III, founded a group called Protect New Mexico that fought the bills.

"I think we presented more accurate facts about these issues," Ramsay Gorham said. "Once they were presented, it changed the entire debate and the votes."

Here is the final status of Gov. Gary Johnson's drug policy reform package for the 2002 session:

Passed

House Bill 26 Habitual offenders

Sponsor: Rep. W. Ken Martinez, a Grants Democrat

Purpose: No longer requires judges to sentence drug offenders to extra time in prison if they have prior convictions. Now, judges will have flexibility to add extra time or keep sentences the same.

Status: On the governor's desk, likely to be signed.

Senate Bill 5 Civil asset forfeiture.

Sponsor: Senate Majority Leader Manny Aragon

Purpose: No longer allows the government to automatically seize a person's assets, such as a car or cash, when they are accused of certain crimes, such as drug crimes. This bill would require a person to be convicted of a crime before police can take the assets.

Status: Sent to the governor on the last day of the session.

House Bill 11 Medicaid for convicted drug offenders.

Sponsor: Rep. Joe Thompson, an Albuquerque Republican.

Purpose: Changes the law so the state can get a waiver to allow a person convicted of a drug offense to qualify for federally funded benefits, such as welfare assistance or food stamps.

Status: Sent to the governor.

Failed

Senate Bill 8 Medicinal marijuana

Sponsor: Sen. Roman Maes, a Santa Fe Democrat

Purpose: The state would have grown and distributed marijuana to qualified patients with debilitating diseases to relieve side effects from drugs and treatments.

Status: Died on a 5-5 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attempt to debate the idea on the Senate floor also failed.

House Bill 25 Decriminalizing the possession of marijuana

Sponsor: Rep. Gail Beam, an Albuquerque Democrat

Purpose: Would have made the possession of 1 ounce of marijuana a civil penalty, rather than a criminal sanction. That means a person could have faced a fine, rather than the possibility of jail time.

Status: Died in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.

Senate Bill 331 Treatment instead of incarceration

Sponsor: Sen. Ben Altamirano, a Silver City Democrat

Purpose: Sends people convicted the first and second time for drug possession to treatment rather than to prison cells. The crime classification for those people would also be reduced to a misdemeanor rather than a felony.

Status: Sent to the governor.

Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)
Author: Gilbert Gallegos, Tribune Reporter
Published: February 15, 2002
Copyright: 2002 The Albuquerque Tribune
Contact: letters@abqtrib.com
Website: http://www.abqtrib.com/

Related Articles:

State's Reforms Fall Short, Anti-Drug Group Says
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11977.shtml

Medicinal Marijuana Bill Dies in Committee
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11966.shtml


Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help

 
Comment #8 posted by Zero_G on February 15, 2002 at 12:21:09 PT
goneposthole
The ONLY reason I point out the words of our founding fathers, (I wish to hell there were more references to the words of our founding mothers!) is that I wish to point out just how Un-Patriotic our current administration really is. I don't pretend these ideas started with Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, et al., only that these personalities are so revered by the ruling elite, that I mean to show that they are revered in name only.

Since I am of the belief that the whole of the Substance Abuse Act, is not only unconstitutional, but UnAmerican in its letter and spirit - I draw on the recorded writings of the founders.

The Bill of Rights was an Add-On to the Constitution. There were those who argued that it was unnecessary, and even detrimental to the cause of liberty, being that the Constitution delegated specific powers to the Federal Government, and only those specific powers. By enumerating the Rights of Citizens, they feared, only those rights would be protected!

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #7 posted by goneposthole on February 15, 2002 at 10:06:37 PT
Yes, I know
It's Ben alright, and he's alright.

I have seen where he has been credited for saying, "Morning has gold in the mouth."

It is actually an old German quote, "Morgen hat gold in dem munde."

He gets the credit, I can paraphrase, too.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #6 posted by unknown pleasures on February 15, 2002 at 09:22:54 PT
now this is democracy!
I'm convinced that our law makers are doing this all for the good of the people! Never have they passed laws in self-interest! Never! Our Government is hard-working and efficient. I feel so much SAFER these days! With supreme logic and compassion they write common-sense policies that will surely bring happiness and prosperity to all. We can trust them to give us all the facts and debate the issues with open, impartial minds! History has shown us, that if we only put unquestioned faith in our leaders, everything will work out! Yay! I am free! Hoooraaaay for USA!!

And all the kiddies sing: Zeig Heil! Zeig Heil! Zeig Heil!



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #5 posted by Jose Melendez on February 15, 2002 at 07:52:33 PT:

talk about spin...
From:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12787-2002Feb14.html
The president has remained elliptical in his public statements about condom use, instead touting abstinence as the preferred mode of prevention. Last summer, then-Surgeon General David Satcher drew the ire of White House officials with a detailed report on sexuality that said there is no evidence that abstinence-only teaching works.

At the time, Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer distanced the administration from Satcher, noting that the surgeon general had been appointed by President Bill Clinton. Referring to Bush, Fleischer added: "The president continues to believe that abstinence and abstinence education is the most effective way to prevent AIDS, to prevent unwanted pregnancy."

...sure, Ari. And he continues to believe there are no shreds of evidence of marijuana's safety and efficacy. Now, where is that shredder again?


[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #4 posted by Zero_G on February 15, 2002 at 07:20:26 PT
Ben's Jammin' words
That kind of government does not really govern, thye have exchanged a little security for some freedom to act responsibly. They no longer have either. goneposthole

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #3 posted by TroutMask on February 15, 2002 at 06:54:47 PT
Off Topic: Turmel is getting optimistic again
Mr. Turmel is getting optimistic that Canadian marijuana laws will go away in one week. But he's been optimistic before...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MedPot/message/266

-TM

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #2 posted by goneposthole on February 15, 2002 at 06:29:22 PT
US GOV'T will become a pariah nonpareil
No, wait, it already is.

I can't help it.

The conduct of her leaders has invariably brought on her condition.

they have no one to blame but themselves.

I can't agree more.

Forgive them for they know not what they do

You are the victim, they, the rogue criminal.

The evidence is all around you, can't be refuted. It is too bad, what a pathetic shame that they have no shame..

They refuse to do the right thing. They do the unspeakable and commit the unforgiveable.

I can't help it. they don't belong here anymore.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #1 posted by goneposthole on February 15, 2002 at 04:59:33 PT
lawmakers need to be defeated
by being voted out.

They hide behind a thin worn out old birqua cloth imported from Afghanistan.

They serve nobody or no good purpose.

They seek a small amount of security, and hope to receiver some solace in the tiny bit of freedom they have.

That kind of government offers nothing, really, and does not deserve to exist, it's a joke anymore. Vote them gone, vote for someone who will do the will of the people.

That kind of government does not really govern, thye have exchanged a little security for some freedom to act responsibly. They no longer have either.

They refuse to do the right thing. There they were, gone.

Do the right thing, and vote them oudddddddddddddddd.



[ Post Comment ]


  Post Comment
Name:        Password:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comment:   [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]

Link URL:
Link Title:


Return to Main Menu


So everyone may enjoy this service and to keep it running, here are some guidelines: NO spamming, NO commercial advertising, NO flamming, NO illegal activity, and NO sexually explicit materials. Lastly, we reserve the right to remove any message for any reason!

This web page and related elements are for informative purposes only and thus the use of any of this information is at your risk! We do not own nor are responsible for visitor comments. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 and The Berne Convention on Literary and Artistic Works, Article 10, news clippings on this site are made available without profit for research and educational purposes. Any trademarks, trade names, service marks, or service names used on this site are the property of their respective owners. Page updated on February 14, 2002 at 23:04:46