Pubdate: Sat, 11 Feb 2006
Source: Claremore Daily Progress, The (OK)
Contact:  http://www.claremoreprogress.com/
Address: 315 W Will Rogers Blvd Claremore OK 74017-7021
Copyright: 2006, The Claremore Daily Progress
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Note: Editorial Staff, Albuquerque (NM) Tribune

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

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. ...

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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman