New Mexico House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Bill

SANTA FE–The New Mexico House of Representatives voted down a medical marijuana bill by a 36-33 margin tonight after intense debate.

The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act (SB 238) would have allowed 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 by a 34-7 margin.

The bill originally failed by a 33 to 33 margin, but Rep. Al Park claimed he was unable to vote. After a motion to reconsider by Rep. Kenny Martinez passed, the House voted again, killing the bill, 36-33.

“We are devastated,” said Reena Szczepanski, director of the Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico. “The sick and dying of New Mexico have been denied protection under the law to obtain cannabis for the relief of their debilitating illnesses. We will continue to fight for patients to ensure that they are able to legally obtain a proven medicine that works for them.”