POT NOW LEGAL FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS

SANTA FE -- Nearly three decades after medical marijuana first was
approved in New Mexico, Gov. Bill Richardson on Monday signed a law
authorizing the state Department of Health to give the drug to some
seriously ill patients.

New Mexico became the 12th state to legalize the use of marijuana for
medical reasons.

Richardson said the new law provides "a humane option for New
Mexicans living with cancer, HIV and other serious medical conditions."

The second-term governor is seeking the 2008 Democratic nomination,
and Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico said he is the first presidential
candidate to sign medical marijuana into law.

"I hope that other elected officials take note: Americans will stand
behind those that believe in compassion and mercy for our most
vulnerable, our sick and dying patients struggling for relief," said
Reena Szczepanski, a lobbyist for the organization.

The law is named in part after Lynn Pierson, a Vietnam veteran who
was dying of lung cancer when he lobbied lawmakers for a medical
marijuana bill, linked to a research program, that was passed in 1978.

Pierson didn't live long enough to use the progam, which provided
marijuana to cancer patients to relieve the nausea of chemotherapy.
It lost its funding in 1986 and became defunct.

Richardson's signing of the bill, which takes effect July 1, drew
immediate criticism from White House drug czar John Walters, who had
asked the governor not to sign it.

Walters in an interview called it "disappointing" and "irresponsible."

He said it would worsen New Mexico's problem of illegal drug use,
undermine the anti-drug message to youngsters and result in the
control problems like those California has experienced.

"This is a triumph of politics over science," he said, suggesting
Richardson sought "to curry the favor of wealthy donors who are
marijuana legalization advocates."

New Mexico Republicans contend Richardson supported the bill -- and
helped push it through -- because of contributions to his re-election
campaign last year: $25,000 from billionaire philanthropist George
Soros and $25,000 from the Drug Policy Alliance Network.

Critics also argue that marijuana is illegal under federal law and
New Mexico users of the drug could be opening themselves to federal
prosecution.

New Mexico's health department will set up the program, which will be
overseen by an eight-member board of physicians.

Patients with certification from their doctors could apply to the
state agency, which would issue identification cards.

The health department must obtain the marijuana from production
facilities in the state "housed on secure grounds and operated by
licensed producers." Patients could not grow their own.

"So we have the proper safeguards," Richardson said at a news conference.

The department is supposed to issue rules for the program in the fall.

The governor estimated 200 people could use the program.

"It's a humane piece of legislation. It does not mean I support
legalizing marijuana," Richardson said. "It means that we are
alleviating suffering ... and I must tell you, I was overcome by the
personal stories of pain and the personal appeals I got."

The governor said he had heard from law enforcement agencies unhappy
with the new law, and he acknowledged it may be unpopular with others as well.

"So be it," he said.