Medical Marijuana Bill to be Heard on Senate Floor on Wednesday

Santa Fe–The New Mexico Senate will vote on the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act (SB 238) on Wednesday, February 7. The bill would allow qualified patients suffering from certain illnesses, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and epilepsy, to use medical cannabis for relief of their symptoms.

The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday by a 7-3 margin. It was approved unanimously in the Senate Public Affairs Committee last week. SB 238, sponsored by Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-District 12, has 14 co-sponsors, including Senate Minority Leader, Stuart Ingle, R-Portales.

“We sincerely hope the Senate acts with compassion and passes the bill,” said Reena Szczepanski, director of the Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico. “We are hopeful that the bipartisan support shown in years past will carry into tomorrow’s vote.”

A similar measure enjoyed tremendous bipartisan support last year and sailed through the Senate by a 34-6 margin. Gov. Bill Richardson voiced strong support for the measure during last year’s legislative session. The bill died after passing in the House Judiciary Committee in the early hours of the morning of the final legislative day.

Please call Reena Szczepanski at 505-699-0798 or Tommy McDonald at 505-983-3277 for the latest information on SB 238.