Last Thursday, New Mexico’s Senate Public Affairs Committee unanimously passed a bill that would allow 50 - 200 chronically ill people access to their medicine. But supporters aren’t setting the temps on their vaporizers yet - they’ve been this far before only to be let down. One key question is whether or not they can count on Gov. Richardson, who has previously supported medical marijuana. With an eye on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, his public support is in no way guaranteed.

Medical marijuana: Easy panel passage gives hope for supporters
Diana Del Mauro | The New Mexican
February 2, 2007

Yet again, a medical marijuana bill has sailed through a Senate committee, creating a sense of hope for those who want New Mexico to become the 12th state to allow patients to use the mind-altering herb for the relief of pain and nausea under doctor supervision.

An estimated 50 to 200 patients, with conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and AIDS, would benefit, proponents said.

On Thursday, supporters were outwardly elated after the unanimous vote in the Senate Public Affairs Committee, but more cautious in private. For the past two years, a nearly identical bill found favor in the Senate, then stalled in the House. Last year the initiative even won Gov. Bill Richardson’s public backing, but ultimately died in the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee.
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On July 16, 1945, the government lit up its first nuclear bomb in Alamogordo, New Mexico (now called White Sands). Not knowing what would happen, some observers wagered that the bomb would destroy the entire state of New Mexico. Others thought it might ignite the atmosphere and torch the planet. It all ended with a historic blast and J. Robert Oppenheimer’s famous reference to the Bhagavad Gita:

I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.

Should New Mexico legislate medical marijuana, it will be interesting to watch that same government suddenly find a passion for the health and safety of New Mexicans. No doubt some Ivy League debate champ will get behind a microphone somewhere on behalf of the government and declare the government’s concern for the people of New Mexico. The DEA will probably be sent in to “protect” them.

Some of us think this is more about power than protection, but we’re just cynics. So breathe deep that glowing Trinity air, New Mexico and be at peace - knowing that the feds will have your best interests at heart.

UPDATE 3-10-2007: Governor Richardson is twisting arms!