GUBERNATORIAL RACE: MEDICAL-POT BACKERS TARGET MARTINEZ IN
AD

An organization that lobbied the New Mexico Legislature for years to
get a medical marijuana program started is running an emotional ad
against Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez.

The 30-second TV spot features program participants pleading "Don't
take away my medicine."

Martinez, the district attorney in Dona Ana County, has said she would
try to repeal the medical program, which was passed by the Legislature
and signed by Gov. Bill Richardson in 2007. Her Democratic opponent,
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, has said she favors keeping the program.

Tony Newman, a spokesman for Drug Policy Alliance, parent organization
for Drug Policy Action New Mexico, said Monday the ad is scheduled to
run on stations across the state beginning today. Newman said the
group bought time for spots during the World Series, The Oprah Winfrey
Show and local newscasts.

A news release for the organization quoted Dr. Steve Jenison, a former
medical director for the state Health Department, saying "Ultimately
doctors -- not politicians -- know what's best for patients who are
suffering and need relief." Jenison frequently testified as an expert
for the medical marijuana bill during the years the Legislature
considered it.

He also appears in the ad, saying "We have the best and tightest-run
program in America. It's a model for the rest of the country."

Another veteran of the medical-marijuana legislative effort also is
featured in the ad. Albuquerque AIDS patient Essie DeBonet, who became
a fixture in the Roundhouse lobbying for medical marijuana for several
legislative sessions and testifying about her condition at committee
hearings, says, "I just want to hold my grandchildren."

Jenison then asks "How much suffering is enough?"

Like DeBonet, others who appear in the ad -- a disabled Navy veteran
with chronic pain and a construction worker suffering from a spinal
injury -- are patients in the program, Newman said.

Martinez campaign manager Ryan Cangiolosi, when asked to respond to
the ad, said in an e-mail statement: "Susana Martinez does not support
distributing marijuana for any purpose, since it is in violation of
federal law. As someone who lost her mother to cancer, Susana
understands the need to provide effective pain treatments to those in
need of care, but believes there are currently effective treatments
available for patients that do not break the law."

The Drug Policy group's news release noted that U.S. Attorney General
Eric Holder has said that regardless of federal drug laws, the federal
government won't interfere with lawful state medical marijuana programs.

Denish though a spokesman has said, "There is a strong body of
clinical evidence to suggest (marijuana) is effective in relieving the
pain and suffering of patients with cancer or other terminal and
chronic illnesses."

Getting the Legislature to repeal such a program would be difficult.
While the 2007 vote for the medical marijuana bill in the House of
Representatives was close, it passed the Senate with a bi-partisan
32-3 vote.

However, a governor could significantly weaken a program -- cutting
its budget or establishing administrative regulations that would make
it difficult for patients or providers to participate.