Congratulations New Mexico! Thanks to your hard work, dedication, and continuous support throughout the 2007 legislative session, three life-saving bills and two memorials passed the legislature. Two of the bills were signed into law by Governor Richardson.

Medical Cannabis Program

On April 2, 2007, Governor Bill Richardson signed SB523, the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act , and finally made legal access to medical cannabis a reality for seriously ill and dying New Mexicans.
Temporary ID cards for qualified patients are now available from the Department of Health. Please visit the Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Program’s website to see if you qualify for the program and to download the application to register.

The Department of Health has until October 1 of this year to develop specific rules and regulations regarding the state-licensed production and distribution of medical cannabis for registered patients.
For more information on who qualifies as a medical marijuana patient under the New Mexico law and how the program works please visit our Medical Marijuana Page .

• Victory for Medical Marijuana in New Mexico
• We Did It! New Mexico Medical Marijuana Bill Passes the Legislature

911 Good Samaritan

SB 200, the 911 Good Samaritan bill , also passed the legislature and was signed by the Governor. This new law protects individuals from drug possession charges when they seek medical help to save the life of an overdose victim. This is the first law of its kind in the United States and will save countless numbers of lives in our state.

• New Mexico Legislature Approves Lifesaving Bill

Medicaid Coverage of Substance Abuse Treatment

House Memorial 75 and Senate Memorial 72, both passed their respective floor votes unanimously! The memorials direct the state Medicaid program to apply to the federal government for approval to include substance abuse treatment as a covered service for Medicaid recipients. These memorials are a great step to help New Mexicans gain access to substance abuse treatment services. If the amendment is accepted, over $10 million will be brought into New Mexico to increase substance abuse treatment!
More Work to Be Done Next Year!

Unfortunately, two bills did not become law during this legislative session:

Treatment Instead of Incarceration

Drug Policy Alliance Network's (DPAN) bill introduced during the 2007 legislative session proposed appropriate community-based treatment, instead of incarceration, for first- and second-time non-violent drug possession offenders. Offering treatment instead of incarceration enhances public safety by reducing drug-related crime and preserving jail and prison space for violent offenders.
 
This bill received great support from legislators, but unfortunately the bill did not make it out of its final committee due to a lack of time. For more information on the proposalclick here .

Medication Assisted Therapy: Women's Prison Treatment Project

The opiate replacement therapy in the women’s prison bill passed the legislature almost unanimously. The bill called for the creation of a pilot treatment project in the NM women’s prison to help women with a history of narcotic addiction. The pilot project establishes a much needed, evidence-based treatment program for female inmates with heroin addictions in the Grants and Camino Nuevo facilities using the medication, buprenorphine.

Despite passing through the legislature, HB528 was vetoed by the Governor.

Thank you so much for your continuous support and energy to make New Mexico a safer and more compassionate state! We will continue to educate New Mexicans about public policy based on reason, compassion, and justice for our state.