New Mexico approves medical use of marijuana

[deadparrot]

Source: Reuters

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (Reuters) - New Mexico doctors are allowed to prescribe marijuana to help some seriously ill patients manage symptoms including pain and nausea under a bill signed into law by Gov. Bill Richardson on Monday.

"This law will provide much-needed relief for New Mexicans suffering from debilitating diseases," Richardson, a Democratic candidate for U.S. president in 2008, said at the signing ceremony. "It is the right thing to do."

The southwestern state is the 12th in the United States to endorse the use of marijuana for medical uses. New Mexico's state legislature is the fourth in the country to enact such a measure.

The law allows marijuana use by patients suffering from several conditions, such as HIV/ AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, according to Richardson's office.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/usa_marijuana_dc

[SteppingRazor]

1. Yawn.

These laws are mostly meaningless until federal law is changed. Just look at Ashcroft's asinine crackdown on marijuana in California after that state passed a medicinal-use law.

I will give these laws this much, though — they at least allow for immediate medicinal use when/if federal law is repealed. They lay the groundwork for what could follow. Unfortunately, it's not enough.

[Webster Green]

3. The laws are not meaningless!

It is easy for patients to access the herb in California, where voters approved medicinal marijuana years ago.

Local and state authorities are, for the most part, supportive. Some police are openly hostile to the feds (Santa Cruz, for example).

Sure, the DEA comes in once in awhile to take a few cannabis clubs out as a show of their awesome power, but others spring up to take their place.

I suspect that what you know about the subject was gleaned from newspaper reports. BTW I notice you are yawning. There's nothing remotely boring about being on the front lines in this particular fight for our rights. :hippie:

[IChing]

4. The ATF are raiding clinics left and right we just had

two more raids in my area, hassling and making a mess with local police support.


http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070330-0442-ca-brf-cencoast-potbust.html

Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers employee Abe Baxter, 26, was accused of possessing marijuana and selling or furnishing the drug, said San Luis Obispo County sheriff's Sgt. Brian Hascall. He was being held in lieu of posting $20,000 bail, jail officials said.

Protesters yelled and held signs denouncing the raid as authorities searched the business.
Dispensary owner Charles Lynch said he didn't know whether he would reopen the clinic.
“Today's the first day of this. I'm not sure of what's going to happen,” he said.

Investigators carted off papers, marijuana plants, computer equipment and packaged pot from the clinic.
State law allows the sale of medical marijuana but contradicts federal law that considers all marijuana sales illegal.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has recently ramped up enforcement of marijuana clinics, raiding more than a dozen in California in recent months.

[Webster Green]

5. Fascist assholes!

Like I said, it's not boring on the front lines.

We have to keep fighting them. The majority of Americans are supportive of medical pot, and probably recreational pot as well. If enough people decide to stand up for their own rights, the feds will be powerless to stop it. It would be nice to see more politicians finally get on board.

[SteppingRazor]

6. mind you, I'm totally on your side of this, and then some...

I mean, just look at my avatar, fer Chrissake. My point is, until we do something about federal law, the jackboots out of Washington will keep stomping heads, regardless of state law.

[Gregorian]

9. If there was a Drug War, nicotine would be illegal.

I just felt like posting that. It's not part of the discussion here, but it's something I've been thinking about.

There is no Drug War. Like everything else these Bush administrations, et al, it's mostly lies and smokescreens.

God it is getting so very old and tiresome.


I lived my life despite them. But this is having an effect on the sick. And I'm pissed.




Edit- It's a war on different perceptions. Not about health, or society, or safety, or any of their bullshit.

[Dr.Phool]

2. At least Richardson had the guts to sign it.

[raccoon]

7. Way to go, NM! nt

[leQ]

8. maybe with democrats in charge of the congress, we can get the feds to back off some

it'd be nice to repeal the federal mandate and give states local control of this important issue.

[SpiralHawk]

10. The states are way ahead of the fascist republicon feds

republicons bring us BIG GOVERNMENT, Nation Building, Interference in Private Lives, fed noses in the bedrooom, and all the other totalitarian horseshit associated with fascism -- stuff they claim to be against...but republicon claims are all BS.

Yay for States Rights. Yay for compassion and natural herbs to ease human suffering !!!