"It's an ineffective piece of legislation for all intents and purposes, which should be repealed," said Health Secretary Alex Valdez. "However, something should be put in its place to reduce the pain and suffering that many people in this state are going through."

New Mexico's current medical-marijuana law, passed in 1978, allows marijuana to be used to relieve nausea associated with chemotherapy and to ease eye pressure from glaucoma -- but only in connection with a research project.

Valdez said the state should consider adopting a medical-marijuana law similar to Hawaii's. The law allows people with specific conditions, such as AIDS, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and people with glaucoma and epilepsy, to use marijuana as a medical treatment.

Valdez made his comments before members of the newly appointed Governor's Drug Policy Advisory Group. The task force is responsible for developing "harm reduction" policies in New Mexico for harder drugs, such as heroin.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Kay G. on 22 Apr 08 06:11 PM EDT

Marijuana is no where near as bad as alcohol and people that are in pain and on pain killers from a doctor,should legally be able to smoke marijuana without being arrested.It has already been proven that no one can overdose on marijuana.

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