Medical Marijuana Bill Passes House Judiciary Committee 9 to 2

Santa Fe — The House Judiciary Committee passed the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act (SB 238) Monday afternoon by a 9 to 2 margin. 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 now heads to the House floor for a vote, which could occur as early as Thursday.

“All we’ve ever wanted is an ‘up or down’ vote on the bill,” said Reena Szczepanski, director of the Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico. “I hope the members of the House will listen to their constituents across the state who overwhelmingly support this legislation.”

The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act recently passed the Senate by a 34 to 7 margin. SB 238 enjoyed tremendous bipartisan support in the Senate and is supported by Gov. Bill Richardson, who recently urged the Legislature to pass the bill this legislative session.

Legal access to medical cannabis has been endorsed by numerous local and national organizations, including the New Mexico Nurses Association, the New Mexico Public Health Association, the New Mexico HIV Prevention Community Planning and Action Group, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Nurses Association.

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