Pubdate: Sat, 20 Jan 2001
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2001 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103
Website: http://www.abqjournal.com/
Author: S.U. Mahesh

LEGISLATORS TO OFFER BILLS ON MARIJUANA

SANTA FE -- Two Albuquerque lawmakers, one a Democrat and the other a 
Republican, have agreed to sponsor two marijuana-related bills 
proposed by Gov. Gary Johnson.

Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, agreed to sponsor the most 
controversial of the Republican governor's eight proposals: 
decriminalizing possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for 
personal use.

Rep. Joe Thompson, R-Albuquerque, agreed to sponsor a bill that would 
allow the use of marijuana for treating certain patients suffering 
from cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma and some other illnesses.

In a brief interview Thursday, McSorley confirmed he would sponsor 
the decriminalization bill in the Senate. He did not return phone 
calls requesting comment Thursday and Friday.

McSorley was a member of Johnson's Drug Policy Advisory Group, which 
recommended drug policy changes focusing on prevention, education and 
treatment.

Johnson proposed eight bills to revamp New Mexico's drug policies 
based on the group's recommendations. Along with medical marijuana 
and decriminalization, the proposals include reducing sentences for 
nonviolent drug offenders, implementing "harm reduction" policies and 
making syringes easily available for drug addicts.

No House members have publicly confirmed if they would carry the 
marijuana decriminalization bill.

The governor proposes to decriminalize possession of up to 1 ounce of 
marijuana, treating it like a traffic violation that would be subject 
to a civil fine but no arrest, jail time or criminal record.

Thompson said he has not found a House co-sponsor for his medical 
marijuana bill.

But he added, "A lot of them indicated they would vote for the bill. 
... More people have been encouraging than discouraging."

A 1978 New Mexico law allows medical marijuana as part of a research 
project, but nothing has been funded for more than a decade.

Thompson said he plans to introduce his medical marijuana bill as 
early as next week.

His bill would allow physicians to recommend and patients to receive 
marijuana when medically appropriate. It also would allow the state 
to maintain a registry of patients approved for the treatment and 
their physicians.

Steve Jenison, a physician with the Infectious Disease Bureau of the 
Health Department, said the medical marijuana bill probably would be 
similar to one enacted in Hawaii.

The Hawaii law, Jenison said, allows a certified medical marijuana 
patient to buy the drug on the black market or cultivate small 
amounts at his or her home.

Jenison guessed there are between 50 and 100 patients in New Mexico 
at any time who would qualify for medical marijuana.

The Washington-based National Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws, or NORML, began airing radio ads this week in support 
of the drug law changes.
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