Cannabis policy will be a getting a lot of discussion in the state of New Mexico during the current legislative session. Now with seven different bills filed in the state’s House of Representatives and six additional bills in the Senate Chamber; that could affect cannabis policy for the medical cannabis program, legalization for social use, and hemp policy. New Mexico has taken the first steps needed towards legalizing, taxing and regulating cannabis and hemp. Please check back as this post will be updated throughout the week as the legislature releases Floor and Committee schedules.
Monday, February 13th 2017, The New Mexico Senate Convenes At 11:00 a.m.
SENATE FLOOR CALENDAR
Third Reading of Legislation, After Third Reading the Bill is Voted On to Pass or Fail. When passed the bill then goes to the House Chamber for the legislative process then to the Governor.
Number 5 on today’s agenda is Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute for Senate Public Affairs Committee Substitute Senate Bill 177, “Medical Marijuana Changes”, Sponsored By: McSorley
Senate Bill 177, “Medical Marijuana Changes” would remove Department of Health’s authority to determine by rule “adequate supply”of medical cannabis. Also, the bill would allow for interstate reciprocity not requiring out of state card holders to participate in New Mexico’s registration card application and renewal process.
Also, if a patient is a veteran or if the patient’s debilitating condition is considered chronic, then
reapplication would be required no sooner than three years from the date of issuance. However,
if the condition is not chronic, reapplication would be no sooner than three years but the patient
would be required to submit a statement from a practitioner annually.
This legislation has really great potential to help patients with very favorable items in it; SB-177 would increase Personal Production License benefits by allowing Patients with a PPL to keep all that one can harvest. (Removes 230 unit/gram Limit on PPL Harvest), Removal of Concentrate Cap that has been limited to 70% THC, All Conditions on 3 year card cycle, Inclusion of all Veterans into the Medical Cannabis Program and addition of “Substance Abuse/Addiction” as a Qualifying Condition, allows patients to be organ donor, and furthers Patient’s Protections with youth services.
Also, the bill would not allow children to be removed and placed into state custody based solely
on an individual’s participation in the medical cannabis program. Lastly, the bill would not allow
someone to be precluded from receiving an anatomical gift due to their participation in the
program.
One of the bigger changes amended into SB-177, the Recognition of Non-Resident Medical Cannabis Cards. This is a great thing for the MCP in being able to allow and accommodate the patient community from other states. It could allow some medical cannabis tourism and ease travel for patients in others states. Reciprocity could generate revenue for the state and help lower current prices that are oddly higher at the moment for the program.
Call For Action: Call and email your Senator in your district and call the Roundhouse for your voice to be heard.
Senate Chamber main phone 505-986-4714 and general email: senate@nmlegis.gov
Monday, February 13th 2017, The New Mexico Senate Committee’s
SENATE COMMITTEE AGENDA
Senate Judiciary Committee – Monday. Feb. 13th – 2:30 p.m. or 1/2 hr. after session – Room 321
Senate Bill 278, “Cannabis Revenue & Freedom Act” will be finishing up from Friday and is Sponsored by Senator Ortiz y Pino
Call For Action: Call and email Senate Judiciary Committee chair and members for your voice to be heard. Attend the Committee to speak in person in favor or against the bill.
“Despite a Democratic majority in both New Mexico legislative chambers, proposals to legalize and tax recreational marijuana use could be derailed due to dissent in the Democratic ranks.A Senate bill that would make New Mexico the nation’s eighth state to legalize recreational cannabis use – the state already has a medical marijuana program – stalled in a committee Friday after a bevy of legal concerns was raised.
While it’s expected to be reworked and brought back, at least some Senate Democrats have made it clear they’re fundamentally opposed.” – Albuquerque Journal By Dan Boyd / Friday, February 10th, 2017 at 11:45pm
Monday, February 13th 2017, The New Mexico House of Representatives Convenes At 10:30 a.m.
HOUSE FLOOR CALENDAR
Third Reading of Legislation: (After Third Reading the Bill is Voted On to Pass or Fail ) When passed the bill then goes to the Senate Chamber for the legislative process then to the Governor.
Number 7 on today’s agenda is House Bill 166: “Exempt Hemp From Controlled Substances” Sponsored by Rep. Little
House of Representatives main phone number 505-986-4751 and general email: house@nmlegis.gov
Monday, Feb. 13th 2017, The New Mexico House Committee’s
HOUSE COMMITTEE AGENDA
Senate Indian and Cultural Affairs Committee – Tuesday, Feb. 14th 2017 – 9:00 a.m. -Rm 303 Senator John Pinto, Chairman
New Mexico State Representative Benny Shendo, Jr has introduced Senate Bill 345: “Medical Marijuana Tribal Agreements”, that will be heard in committee Tuesday.
“AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENTER
INTO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS WITH NEW MEXICO INDIAN
NATIONS, TRIBES AND PUEBLOS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE’S
MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM.”
The legislation calls for the Department of Health to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with any sovereign Indian nation, tribe or pueblo located in New Mexico that elects to implement the provisions of the medical cannabis program established pursuant to the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act. The intergovernmental agreement shall provide for any assistance from the department that an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo may request in implementing its own medical cannabis program within the boundaries of that nation, tribe or pueblo and that the department agrees to provide; and guidelines for compliance with department rules or compliance with separate express provisions of the intergovernmental agreement to govern the rights and the responsibilities of the department and an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo when that Indian nation, tribe or pueblo transports or sells medical cannabis outside of the boundaries of that Indian nation, tribe or pueblo.”
Contact the Legislative Council Service for general questions about the Legislature.
Contact the Governor
“Dear New Mexicans and Visitors,
I am committed to listening to your concerns and working to answer your questions. Therefore, the Constituent Services division within my office has been directed to professionally and efficiently assist in answering your questions and responding to your requests of state government.
My staff is here to serve you and will do everything they can to address your concerns.
Please do not hesitate to call my office at 505-476-2200 to speak with a Constituent Services representative or fill out the form below and we will contact you in a timely manner.
Sincerely, Governor Susana Martinez”
As New Mexico works to define a model for cannabis legalization that protects and improves the state’s medical cannabis program and puts patients first as well, lawmakers have a lot of history to contend with. New Mexico’s medical cannabis history started in 1978 (After public hearings the legislature enacted H.B. 329, the nation’s first law recognizing the medical value of cannabis). In an Albuquerque Journal poll conducted in October 2016, 61 percent of likely voters said they would support a measure to legalize recreational cannabis for adults age 21 and older.
It’s really important for all people within the cannabis community to know they are the power; the government, legislators & policy makers are lead to us and We have the power to change the laws and government – people in it, policy being written, and overturning rules & regulations that disrupt safe access to our medicine. Not one state’s medical cannabis law is perfect, they are working pieces of democracy and this is where WE can establish patient lead policy in New Mexico and other states. We have the science, the research, the knowledge – the information the policy makers need to have and we need to get it in front of legislators.
Any resident seeking assistance in qualifying for the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program can find that thru the LECUA Patients Coalition of New Mexico. The LECUA Patients Coalition of New Mexico, as a grassroots organization, is one of leaders in New Mexico’s medical cannabis advocacy.
LECUA Patient’s Coalition Of New Mexico
By Jason Barker – Organizer & Medical Cannabis Patient
LECUA Patients Coalition of New Mexico Facebook Group
