Medical Marijuana Bill Passes the New Mexico Senate with a Vote of 34-7

Santa Fe — The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act (SB 238), passed the New Mexico Senate with a vote of 34-7 this evening. The bill now heads to the House and the first committee hearing could take place as early as next week.

We are grateful for the strong leadership shown by the Senate,” said Reena Szczepanski, director of the Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico. “We’re hopeful that the members of the House will show the same compassion.”

Senate members voiced the need to show compassion to New Mexico’s most vulnerable citizens.

“How can we look people in the face and say we don’t care about your pain, that we don’t care about your misery?” asked Sen. Joseph J. Carraro, R-District 23. “Let’s not have laws where sick people can’t be treated.”

Governor Bill Richardson today issued a statement supporting SB 238. Richardson urged the Legislature to pass the bill during this year’s session.

“I continue to support a medical marijuana bill that includes proper safeguards to prevent abuse,” Richardson said in a statement released today. “I will work with legislators to get it passed this session to provide this option for New Mexicans suffering from debilitating diseases.”

For the latest information on the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, please contact Reena Szczepanski at 699-0798 or Tommy McDonald at 983-3277.