Pubdate: Tue, 07 Feb 2006
Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)
Copyright: 2006 The Albuquerque Tribune
Contact:  http://www.abqtrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/11
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: IT'S TIME TO SANCTION IT

It wasn't billed as the session on drugs, but the New Mexico 
Legislature definitely has a full plate of proposed drug laws, 
several of which merit passage. At the top of the list is the 
perennial effort to give state approval to the use of medical 
marijuana. Pass it, already.

Sanctioning the limited use of prescribed marijuana for the relief of 
pain or nausea - particularly in cancer patients, including those 
taking radiation or chemical therapy - is the right and humane thing 
to do, despite continuing federal efforts to keep it a crime. Eleven 
other states allow for medical marijuana.

If it provides relief - and the evidence is overwhelming that it does 
- - and it can be medically prescribed, regulated and used in a safe 
manner, medical marijuana should be allowed in New Mexico. In fact, 
there really is no compelling state or federal reason to block its use.

On the other side of the drug fence, the Legislature is considering a 
broad measure that would crack down on the manufacture, use and abuse 
of methamphetamine. It, too, is overdue, for several good reasons.

Meth abuse is clearly on the rise and, like other drug abuse, is a 
threat to far more than the abusers and traffickers.

Dangerous meth labs, all too frequently set up in neighborhood houses 
where young children reside, represent a special threat to children 
and neighborhoods.

The problem is worthy of new state legislation that would impose more 
severe penalties for trafficking in meth, as well as a separate 
measure to restrict the sale of pseudoephedrine. This is a prime 
ingredient used by the makeshift labs to churn out the highly 
addictive meth. The Legislature would be wise to approve both 
measures, which aim to attack the supply of meth, making it more 
difficult and risky for meth producers.

Finally and unfortunately, legislative efforts to provide more money 
for drug abuse treatment was derailed last week, when about $2 
million to fund it was stripped from the House version of the main 
budget bill. The Senate and Gov. Bill Richardson should restore the 
money to the state budget, because in addition to increasing 
penalties and attacking the street supply, the state should be doing 
more to help addicts kick the habit.

To realize how fruitful this path can be, state legislators need only 
read Tribune reporter Kate Nash's Saturday report, "Target: Meth." It 
details worthy efforts by former drug abuser Tani Gallup to set up a 
drug recovery house, Casa de Amigas, for women in Albuquerque.

"We really need the help in Albuquerque," says Gallup, noting that 
"there's a lot of people who want to get clean."

Meth is more than just a drug problem, and New Mexico officials will 
fight it best with a broad arsenal of laws and funding, including 
providing more deterrents and ways for those addicted to get the meth 
monkey off their backs.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman