GOV. SUPPORTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

SANTA FE -- Gov. Bill Richardson expressed support Wednesday for a
Senate-passed bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana.

Richardson said he would sign the legislation if it received final
approval from the Legislature. The bill still must pass the House.

The measure would allow the use of marijuana for patients seriously
ill with cancer, AIDS and some other illnesses.

"I think it will ease a lot of pain for a lot of people," Richardson said.

The bill has "strong safeguards," the governor said.

Under the Senate-passed measure, the Health Department would
establish a system for patients to obtain marijuana. Patients could
not grow it themselves. The agency would be responsible for licensing
marijuana providers or marijuana-growing facilities.

A doctor or other health care provider would certify to the
department that someone suffers from a qualifying illness, including
cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV-AIDS and certain
spinal cord injuries.