cannabisnews.com: Senate Approves Bill To Legalize Medical Marijuana





Senate Approves Bill To Legalize Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on January 31, 2006 at 23:23:43 PT
By Barry Massey
Source: Associated Press
Santa Fe, N.M. -- The state Senate overwhelmingly approved a proposal Tuesday to allow patients seriously ill with cancer, AIDS and some other illnesses to use marijuana for medical purposes. Supporters say marijuana can help people suffering from the pain of certain debilitating illnesses or nausea caused by treatments for cancer."I just can't say enough about the number of people who will benefit, not a large number, just a few. But that few, we've been able to really give them a second chance at life in a lot of times," said Sen. Timothy Jennings, D-Roswell.
"And for those who don't have that second chance, we've at least given them a little relief, which is what I think we're there for."The bill passed the Senate on a 34-6 vote. The bill goes to the House, where a medical marijuana proposal died last year.Opponents said state government shouldn't become involved in the distribution and production of marijuana, which is federal government considers an illegal drug with no medical value."I think this sends such a terrible message to the young people that we have here, that I will not and cannot support this," said Sen. Carroll Leavell, R-Jal.In New Mexico, possessing an ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor. However, possession of more than eight ounces is a felony punishable by 18 months in prison.Opponents also pointed out that a user of medical marijuana _ even if were legal under New Mexico law _ could be subject to federal drug charges.Eleven states allow the use of marijuana as medicine: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Most allow patients or people designated as their caregivers to grow small amounts of marijuana for the patients' use.Under the measure passed by the New Mexico Senate, the Health Department would set up a system for patients to obtain marijuana. Patients could not grow it themselves. The agency would be responsible for licensing marijuana providers or marijuana-growing facilities.A doctor or other health care provider would certify to the department that someone suffered from a qualifying illness, including cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV-AIDS and certain spinal cord injuries. The patient would be registered with the department and would be issued an identification card.New Mexico lawmakers have debated medical marijuana for several years.A similar measure passed the state Senate last year but died upon adjournment because it never reached a vote in the House. Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Barry MasseyPublished: January 31, 2006 Copyright: 2006 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Drug Policy Alliancehttp://www.drugpolicy.org/Drug Policy Official Fails To Sway Senate http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21529.shtmlMarijuana Bill Finds Support Moves Forwardhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21517.shtmlMarijuana Bill Passes First Hurdle http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21515.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on February 02, 2006 at 09:07:24 PT
Related Article from The Roswell-Record 
Area’s Senators Back Medical Marijuana***Christopher Cunningham, Record Staff WriterFebruary 02, 2006SANTA FE — Chaves County’s four-member delegation to the New Mexico Senate, Democrat and Republican, voted for the medical marijuana bill that passed through their chamber Tuesday.The bill, which passed by a vote of 34-6, would allow people with cancer, AIDS and other serious illnesses to apply to the state for marijuana to use as medicine.Sen. Rod Adair, R-Roswell, said some patients receive “very great relief from pain” from marijuana.“And to me, to deny people relief from pain, when it is available, is purposefully cruel,” he said, adding that he has supported medical marijuana legalization since 2001.“We’re not talking about a bill that would make marijuana available to 2 million people through state sponsorship,” he said. “We’re talking about 200 people. And under very carefully controlled circumstances. There are an enormous number of safeguards in this bill.”He said that under the proposed law, patients who applied for marijuana would have to demonstrate that other pain killers were not working.Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, said under the proposed law, patients would have to get the approval of eight doctors to get a marijuana prescription.“And I’ve known a lot of people in my years that have died of cancer and some other things that have just needed some help,” he said.He also said the bill was “well-written enough that I don’t think there’s going to be any abuse in it.”Sen. Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, called it a “wonderful bill.”He said one of the biggest problems with cancer treatments is that they often cause nausea in patients.“(Marijuana) relieves a lot of pain and it stops the nausea, which allows people to go ahead and take their medicine,” he said.He added that he has seen friends and his wife battle cancer, and has supported medical marijuana for years.Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, said the bill is “much improved” from last year’s attempt, adding that medical marijuana is a good way to help the terminally ill.The bill goes to the House, which killed a medical marijuana bill last year.According to The Associated Press, opponents of medical marijuana say the state should not get involved in distributing marijuana, which the federal government considers illegal and with no medical value.“I think this sends such a terrible message to the young people that we have here, that I will not and cannot support this,” said Sen. Carroll Leavell, R-Jal, in an Associated Press story Feb. 1.The Associated Press also reported that eleven states allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.Copyright: 2006 Roswell-Recordhttp://www.roswell-record.com/archives/020206/news09.html
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Comment #5 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 01, 2006 at 16:55:19 PT
GCW
I used to live in Vegas, I'll bet there's bet on this issue somewhere in that town. LOL
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Comment #4 posted by The GCW on February 01, 2006 at 04:15:54 PT
OverwhelmSam
OverwhelSam, "Let's see, who will be next? I'm betting on Conneticut, maybe Wisconsin."Also, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Texas, Ohio... did I miss someone???Vegas etc. seems to come up with wierd things to bet on;Vegas should set up a bet to see who will be next, complete with odds.Soon We may see 2 in one day, come to the table.
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Comment #3 posted by billos on February 01, 2006 at 03:59:25 PT
               Souder
being handed his 
walking hat would make
up for lots of depressing days
I have suffered since Bush stole the 
second election.
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Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 01, 2006 at 03:22:32 PT
Go New Mexico
Let's see, who will be next? I'm betting on Conneticut, maybe Wisconsin. Rick Santorium is on his way out. Anybody dig up any dirt on Souder yet? I'd like to see him handed his hat in the next election. And Chet Edwards is a die hard anti-marijuana jerk too.
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on February 01, 2006 at 02:02:50 PT
Glory
Beautiful Glory.Not My glory;Christ God Our Father's glory.The Massiah's glory.Michael's glory.Melchizedek's glory.Yahwey's glory.FoM's glory.Van's glory.The Ecologian's glory.Pure.Power.Draw near.Let Us All.The Green Collar Worker
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