The State of New Mexico's Medical Cannabis Program (MCP) was started in 2007 to provide patients suffering from certain specific health issues another option for treating the effects of those health conditions and the adverse effects of pharmaceutical treatments. Being only the 12th state to pass legislation approving the use of medical marijuana, there was much initial skepticism regarding the program, yet it continues to grow. As of April 30, it had served 9,090 patients across the state. The program is administered by the state Department of Health in accordance with the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act. Patients with qualifying medical conditions must apply for a license from the state to purchase, possess, and use the herb. Among the health conditions for which the use of cannabis has been approved are: cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Patients with other medical conditions or issues may petition the state for approval of cannabis use for conditions or diseases not yet on the approved list. [continues 199 words]
A freshman Republican has introduced a bill that would repeal the state's medical marijuana law. "I'm a high school teacher and I have a very close tie to the children, our most vulnerable citizens," said Rep, Jim Smith, R-Sandia Park when asked Monday why he introduced House Bill 593. "I'm just concerned that they're getting the wrong message from this (law) that marijuana is actually good for you because it has a purported medicinal use. ... it has real potential for abuse." [continues 401 words]
Planning and Zoning Commission Considers Three Business Sites GRANTS - "We have scrutinized this pretty thoroughly," said Marty McBride, City of Grants' code enforcement officer. He noted the type of product transported is not the issue because medical transport services are highly regulated by federal and state agencies. James and Mellisa Gurule requested a home-occupancy permit at the planning and zoning commission's Dec. 14 session. The medical cannabis courier service would be located at their residence. "They are not selling it (a federally controlled substance), just transporting it, " said the code enforcement officer. A licensed farm produces the medicinal plant and the Gurules must prove they are farm employees. The product would not be stored at their home, according to McBride. [continues 370 words]
GRANTS - Grants/Bluewater Head Start children shouted "Drug free!" and released red balloons during Red Ribbon Week opening ceremonies at the Grants/Bluewater Head Start on Monday. More than 120 tots heard an encouraging a talk in the morning on saying "No!" to drugs from Grants Police Sgt. John Castaneda as they greeted "Gage" of the Kasey Says program in front of the Mountain Road facility. "Kasey says, 'We don't do drugs,' " Castaneda announced. "This week, we are celebrating Red Ribbon ... and Gage will be wearing his ribbon." [continues 374 words]
Dear Editor: Yes, we have a meth problem in Grants and everywhere else. We need to focus on the drug dealers. The funding should be spent on drug raids, not on a police officer for the schools. If we did not have drug dealers we would not have drugs on the street or in the schools. Let's run them out of town. I know one of my neighbors (if they deserve to be called that) are drug dealers that do not work and they have better vehicles than I do they party all day and night and they send their kid to St. Teresa and they have the state pay for it. Wow, private school for their kids paid by the state while they sell drugs all day. [continues 355 words]
CIBOLA COUNTY - Law enforcement agencies use any means available when it comes to battling methamphetamine in Cibola County, because meth abuse results in criminal behavior to support the habit. Officers from New Mexico State Police, Milan and Grants shared information at the August meth awareness discussion before 50 city, village and county officials. New Mexico State Police Lt. Frank Musitano said the McKinley County Sheriff asked him why he thought McKinley County had an increase in burglaries, robberies and larceny in Thoreau. Lt. Musitano contended that the problem was possibly drug related. Then Lt. Musitano spoke with the vice principal of Thoreau Middle School, who said citizens were upset about the increased number of burglaries, and Lt. Musitano learned that six middle school students tested positive for meth abuse. [continues 505 words]
CIBOLA COUNTY - At the August methamphetamine awareness discussion one focus was educating our youth and citizens about the drug. DWI Coordinator Rhetta King and Nicola Martinez, a certified preventionist from the Cibola County Teen Court are finding prevention strategies and ways to address the problems here. Grants City Manager Robert Horacek said both are needed in Grants. "We have an excellent police force," he noted, but added prevention is important, too. King said she and Martinez want to work with the Grants/Cibola County School District and find out what the parents want to know. They want to learn which anti-drug curriculums serve Cibola County, but first they need to gather demographics, institute current anti-drug abuse curriculums and then evaluate them. Other meeting attendees agreed that education was important, and suggested programming begin at young ages and not end until youths are seniors in high school. [continues 362 words]
CIBOLA COUNTY - More than 50 city, village and county officials attended and several testified at a methamphetamine awareness discussion in early August at Grants City Hall. Facilitated by U.S. Representative Steve Pearce, R-Dist. 2, the discussion resulted in unofficial plans to combat methamphetamine abuse through local ordinances, training, law enforcement and drug treatment. Pearce said he expects to have an official report for Cibola officials this fall, so that officials can determine which programs they need to start or expand. [continues 188 words]
Dear Editor: After reading the "Community Guest Column" by Paul Stern, I felt a need to express my concern about the treatment options for drug-dependent adults as well as youth in the Grants area. As a past resident of Grants, I am appalled by the drug abuse that is running rampant on the street and even more ashamed of the available treatment options for them. It seems to me that the streets in Grants need to be cleaned of the dealers that contribute to the drug abuse among the youth as well as the adult offenders. [continues 279 words]
I'm no expert, but I'd venture there are two types of drug-addicted youth: those who want help and those who don't. I think what we as a community need to do is create a treatment program that both types of youngsters will want to participate in - and the program needs to be here in Cibola County so that kids aren't shipped off to centers elsewhere in the state. If you don't think our community has a juvenile substance abuse problem, read the Beacon's Friday police blotter. [continues 744 words]
