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US NM: Rally Supports Changes In Drug Laws
ccguide Friday 19 Jan 2001 Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM) Copyright: 2001 The Albuquerque Tribune Contact: Address: P.O. Drawer T, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 Website: http://www.abqtrib.com/ Author: Barry Massey, The Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) RALLY SUPPORTS CHANGES IN DRUG LAWS Rally Supports Changes In Drug Laws SANTA FE -- Supporters of drug law changes are mobilizing a citizen lobbying campaign in the Legislature on behalf of Gov. Gary Johnson's proposals to decriminalize marijuana and legalize medical uses of marijuana. "While smoking marijuana is not wrong, fighting the drug war is immoral and we need to stop it right now. It is time for a hemp revolution," said Ben Tucker, a student at the University of New Mexico. He was among about 30 people who rallied in the Capitol on Thursday in support of the governor's drug policy reform agenda. John McCall, a lawyer from Albuquerque, said groups backing Johnson were encouraging people to send letters and e-mail, make telephone calls and use talk radio programs to speak in favor of the governor's legislative proposals. The Washington-based National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, began airing radio ads this week in support of the drug law changes. The governor proposes to decriminalize possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana, treating it like a traffic violation that would be subject to a civil fine but no arrest, jail time or criminal record. Johnson wants to legalize the use of marijuana as medicine for people suffering from certain illnesses, such as cancer. The governor also proposes to eliminate prison time for people caught a first or second time possessing small amounts of a wide range of drugs, including cocaine and heroin. Currently, initial felony possession of the drugs can carry a prison sentence of up to 18 months. A 1978 New Mexico law allows medical marijuana only as part of a research project, but nothing has been funded for more than a decade. Bruce Bush, director of the Delta-9 Coalition and one-time Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Senate, said state and federal laws against marijuana were "the last of the Jim Crow laws and they need to be repealed because . . . they are based on hatred and used as an excuse to target select unpopular individuals and groups." Richard Haley of New Mexico NORML urged people to lobby legislators to legalize marijuana. Even if possession is decriminalized, he said, there is no legal way to buy or grow marijuana. "We need to push it all the way through. If we can't get them to agree to it this legislative session, we need to be here next session and every session after that until we have completely legalized the use of marijuana for personal reasons," Haley said. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager
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