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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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US: New Mexico officials laud decision to ease medical marijuana prosecutions Darren Meritz El Paso Times Monday 19 Oct 2009 In 2007, Gov. Bill Richardson signed into law the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, which allows New Mexico patients with medical conditions such as cancer, epilepsy and glaucoma to use marijuana to relieve pain and encourage appetite. The act established a production and distribution system that allows marijuana producers to sell the drug if they meet specific requirements. The New Mexico Department of Health has licensed one nonprofit producer in the Santa Fe area and has accepted 771 patients into the Medical Cannabis Program since it began in July 2007. Another 25 applications for producer licenses throughout the state are pending with the Department of Health. The Justice Department's position sends a not-so-subtle message that U.S. drug policy has gotten in the way of compassionate patient care in New Mexico and other parts of the country, said Reena Szczepanski, director of New Mexico's Drug Policy Alliance. "The common thread here is that our drug policies are doing more harm than good right now in our country," Szczepanski said. "Nobody wanted their grandmother to have to go into an alley behind a grocery store to try to find medicine." Szczepanski added that allowing states to regulate marijuana use for specific purposes will decrease the potential for abuse, all the while serving a patient population that may be badly in need of pain relief. New Mexico is one of 14 states that allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes. The Justice Department announcement on Monday made a clear distinction between medical marijuana use and illegal drug trafficking, which still will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. The Justice Department emphasized that marijuana distribution in the United States remains the largest source of revenue for the Mexican drug cartels. Richardson on Monday lauded the Obama administration for choosing not to prosecute patients and producers who are in compliance with state marijuana laws. "Our medical cannabis program in New Mexico is helping a select group of patients who cannot get relief from their pain and suffering from any other kind of treatment," Richardson said in a statement. "I am pleased that President Obama has taken these steps to ensure patients will be protected while getting the medical relief they desperately need." Darren Meritz may be reached at dmeritz@elpasotimes.com http://www.elpasotimes.com/health/ci_13598336
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