cannabisnews.com: Second Time Around, House OKs Medical Marijuana Second Time Around, House OKs Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on March 14, 2007 at 05:50:58 PT By David Miles, The New Mexican Source: New Mexican New Mexico -- Albuquerque AIDS patient Essie DeBonet hugged another medical-marijuana supporter after the House narrowly approved a bill Tuesday to legalize the use of the drug for medical purposes.DeBonet said passage would mean she would no longer have to obtain marijuana illegally. She credited marijuana with helping her cope with excruciating nausea and with gaining back 11 pounds she had shed. “It’s why I’m alive today,” DeBonet said. DeBonet, who said her weight is back up to 91 pounds, said she has lobbied lawmakers for three years to approve the measure.The House, which last week rejected a similar medical marijuana bill, approved Senate Bill 523 on a 36-31 vote after nearly two hours of debate Tuesday. The bill returns to the Senate for consideration of a minor House change. Gov. Bill Richardson, who has said he has been busy lobbying House members to vote for the bill, heralded House passage of the measure. “This bill will provide much needed relief for New Mexicans suffering from debilitating diseases while including the proper safeguards to prevent abuse,” Richardson said in a written statement. “I am pleased that the Legislature did the right thing, reconsidered this important bill and supported a humane option for New Mexicans who endure some of the most painful diseases imaginable.”Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have legalized marijuana for medical uses, according to a fiscal impact report on the bill.New Mexico’s bill would allow patients to use marijuana to alleviate the symptoms of several debilitating medical conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, certain spinal-cord injuries, epilepsy, HIV, AIDS, hospice care and other uses approved by the state Department of Health.Under the bill, the department would be required to create a system for distributing medical marijuana to patients by Oct. 1. The agency would issue identification cards to eligible patients and caregivers.The department also would license producers to grow the marijuana.On a 35-25 vote, the House altered the bill to state that medical marijuana could not be distributed within 300 feet of any church, school or day-care center.Some opponents of the measure questioned the medicinal value of marijuana, saying the drug weakens patients’ immune systems. “To move in this direction just makes no sense at all,” said Rep. John Heaton, a Carlsbad Democrat and a pharmacist.Rep. James “R.J.” Strickler, R Farmington, said the bill would send the wrong message to children about drug use. “You can’t make a bill ironclad enough when it comes to our children,” Strickler said.Another opponent of the bill, Rep. Manuel Herrera, D Bayard, became emotional as he described his struggle against cancer. “I’ve survived this cancer five times, and I intend to fight it with whatever’s available except marijuana,” he said.But Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, an Albuquerque Democrat who carried the bill during House debate, said marijuana has been proven to be effective in stimulating appetite, alleviating pain and lessening nausea.“If their doctors think that they should try this, we should give them the legal access to do so,” he said.Reena Szczepanski, director of the Drug Policy Alliance Network, showed emotion after the House approved the bill. “I’m shaking,” she said. “I’ve had such belief in the humanity of people and the humanity of this Legislature.”Source: New Mexican, The (Santa Fe, NM)Author: David Miles, The New MexicanPublished: March 14, 2007Copyright: 2007 The Santa Fe New MexicanContact: webeditor sfnewmexican.com Website: http://www.freenewmexican.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Drug Policy Alliancehttp://www.drugpolicy.org/Medical Marijuana Bill Back on Floorhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22741.shtmlMMJ : Governor's Wrangling Revives Measurehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22734.shtml Medical-Marijuana Bill Not Dead Yet http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22732.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on March 14, 2007 at 07:44:02 PT Some Fools Never Learn. Another opponent of the bill, Rep. Manuel Herrera, D Bayard, became emotional as he described his struggle against cancer. “I’ve survived this cancer five times, and I intend to fight it with whatever’s available except marijuana,” he said.TRANSLATION: "This cancer keeps coming back and I suffer greatly because what I am using is not working. But, since I have sworn my loyalty to Big Fascist Pharma, the one treatment that WILL work is off the table for me, so I must keep it off the table for others so I won't be made an idiot if they find that it really is medicine." Too damn late. You've been made a fool of for decades by Cannabis. Solid faith in Corrupt Science with no faith in the Creator of the Universe. At the price of long term physical suffering. A true glutton for punishment.Like mayan says: Suit Yourself.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by mayan on March 14, 2007 at 07:17:24 PT To Each, Their Own Another opponent of the bill, Rep. Manuel Herrera, D Bayard, became emotional as he described his struggle against cancer. “I’ve survived this cancer five times, and I intend to fight it with whatever’s available except marijuana,” he said.Good for him. He has that choice. Why he would deny others a choice is beyond reason. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by doc james on March 14, 2007 at 06:52:41 PT My mind is now made up...Gov Bill Richardson for President of these United States of America! He has compassion and balls! The times, they r a changin.... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment