Pubdate: Thu, 08 Mar 2001
Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)
Copyright: 2001 The Albuquerque Tribune
Contact:  P.O. Drawer T, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Website: http://www.abqtrib.com/
Author: Lowry McAllen, Tribune reporter

ANOTHER COMMITTEE OKS MEDICAL POT BILL

SANTA FE -- Rep. Ron Godbey's trial-lawyer approach to examining medical 
marijuana wasn't enough to lock up his opponents.

The House Judiciary Committee followed the Senate's lead Wednesday night by 
approving a medical marijuana bill with only Godbey, a member of the 
committee, voting against the bill, HB 431.

The committee's approval of the bill despite Godbey's opposition suggests 
it has real momentum toward final passage because Godbey is the most 
outspoken anti-drug legislator at the Roundhouse.

Godbey, an Albuquerque Republican, questioned Rep. Joe Thompson, the bill's 
sponsor, and his expert witness, Steve Jenison, during a committee meeting 
as though they were on trial.

He started with questions about the knowledge and experience of Jenison, 
medical director of the infectious disease program at the state Department 
of Health.

Godbey then asked Thompson, also an Albuquerque Republican, about some 
areas of U.S. and New Mexico law. The state's passage of a medical 
marijuana bill could violate federal law, Godbey said. Currently, 
possession of marijuana is against federal statute, regardless of a state's 
determination to allow it for medical reasons.

Rep. Al Park, an Albuquerque Democrat and a fellow lawyer, said he could 
have taken notes from Godbey's presentation to the committee on how to run 
a deposition. A deposition is an interview that becomes part of a court trial.

Godbey asked Jenison to defend marijuana as a medically useful substance. 
Godbey said there is ample evidence that science hasn't proven the drug has 
benefits.

"Today in the United States no doctor can prescribe marijuana, except 
through a few very limited programs," Godbey said, adding that those 
programs tend to focus on scientific research and not therapeutic treatment 
of patients who need relief from serious symptoms.

Jenison countered in several instances that marijuana can be effective in 
treating nausea, wasting of the flesh and spasms in a way that prescription 
medicines often are not.

Committee Chairman Rep. Ken Martinez, a Grants Democrat, suggested that the 
bill be amended to allow the medical marijuana program to run to July 2005, 
at which time the Legislature would assess its effectiveness.

The committee approved Martinez' amendment, with Godbey casting the sole 
dissenting vote.

And with little debate from other members of the committee over the merits 
of the bill itself, the measure was passed. It now heads to the full House 
for approval.

The full Senate already approved a nearly identical medical marijuana bill 
Tuesday.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens