I am so pleased to be able to share some wonderful news with you: Last week, the New Mexico legislature approved the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act and, not only has Governor Bill Richardson promised to sign the bill, he was instrumental in securing its passage. Richardson will be the first presidential candidate to show his support for patients’ rights by signing medical marijuana legislation into law.

This victory has been a long time coming, and we could never have done it without you. Your actions and donations over the last several years have made this important victory possible. Time and again, your support has bolstered the tireless efforts of DPA New Mexico Director Reena Szczepanski, other DPA staff in New Mexico, and committed patient activists. We can all be very proud.

I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Governor Richardson for his tremendous leadership. He has been a consistent, vocal supporter of medical marijuana legislation because he knows that providing seriously ill people with access to pain relief is the right thing to do. When the bill ran into trouble and we feared the battle was lost, Governor Richardson stepped up to the plate and personally worked to pull together the necessary votes to ensure the bill’s passage. When he signs this bill, he will have the majority of New Mexicans—and supporters across the country—cheering him on.

Please join me in sending a thank you message to Governor Richardson. It’s critical that we let him know how much we support his courage and commitment to seriously ill patients.  Send a message through his website today.

As we celebrate this victory for patients, I also want to tell you about the success of other important health bills in New Mexico. A 911 Good Samaritan bill, which would protect people from drug possession charges if they call 911 to save the life of an overdose victim, passed the legislature. So did two treatment bills: one for opiate replacement therapy in the women's prison, and the other to increase Medicaid coverage of substance abuse treatment. New Mexico is a true leader on public health-based drug policies.

Sincerely,

Ethan Nadelmann
Executive Director
Drug Policy Alliance

P.S. - You can read Associated Press coverage of Governor Richardson's support of medical marijuana here.