Bill Richardson Friday signed a bill legalizing medical marijuana in New Mexico. He's also running for president and was asked about whether this would hurt his chances:
"So what if it's risky? It's the right thing to do," said Richardson, one of the candidates in the crowded 2008 field. "What we're talking about is 160 people in deep pain. It only affects them."Far from being risky, this kind of thing should help Richardson in the Democratic primaries. According to some Zogby polling last year, 59% of Democrats supported this sort of thing, with the strongest support on the East and West coasts. Medical Marijuana even gets 33% of Republican support. So I doubt this meets the definition of a risky move. Even in a general election Richardson can support this in states rights and libertarian values, which would make an interesting mix against a statist candidate like Rudy Giuliani.
The legislation would create a program under which some patients - with a doctor's recommendation - could use marijuana provided by the state health department. Lawmakers approved the bill Wednesday. The governor is expected to sign it in the next few weeks.
Richardson has supported the proposal since he first ran in 2002. But he pushed especially hard for it this year, leaning on some Democrats to change their votes after the bill initially failed.
In fact it's this type of thing that makes running for president as a governor much easier than running as a senator. Senators have to make ugly compromises. Governors sometimes find it easier to get things done (depends on the state).
Bill Richardson still hasn't been able to move the needle on his polling which is still in the single digits. As a conservative, I'm quite happy that the Democrats are ignoring their most electable candidate.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. just wht america needs a drug pusher at the helm !!!
jackie at 4:24PM on Mar 18th 2007
2. Even legal drugs can be abused. But I'd certainly be a hypocrite to oppose this medical marijuana law. It probably can be controlled, and taken away if it gets out of hand.
Steve Bonomo at 5:07PM on Mar 18th 2007
3. I believe he is right. I had a neighbor who was a cop years ago. He arrested those with weed and took it home as a doctor told him that if he put it in brownies for his little girl with cancer it would help her. Know what? That little girl is working in the medical field to this day.. Why not legalize it? Its costing taxpayers more to house those in jail who have been arrested for it than its worth. I guess my knowledge of it comes from the young people today. They claim it is better than drinking alcohol. Couldn't tell ya. I have never used it or gotten high on it personally.
Linda at 7:29PM on Mar 18th 2007
4. NOT ONLY DO I THINK WE SHOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES, BUT I THINK THE LEGALIZATION OF HEMP WOULD BE BENIFICAL IN MANY WAYS. HEMP OIL COULD REPLACE OR EASE OUR DEPENDENCE ON GASOLINE. HEMP IS EASILY GROWN AND THERE ARE UNTOLD USES FOR PRODUCTS MADE FROM HEMP. ETHANOL MADE FROM FOOD PRODUCTS WHICH COULD CREATE A SHORTAGE OF FOOD. IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT HEMP, I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO READ UP ON THE SUBJECT!!!
faye at 7:58PM on Mar 18th 2007
5. Richardson may win the nomination if Obama and Hillary keep tearing each other apart. Check out "Obama's 'Unauthorized' Attack Ad on Hillary" at http://www.solidpolitics.com
Bill at 9:54AM on Mar 19th 2007
6. I think Bill Richardson just got my vote. He did what was right not caring what it would do to his chances for President. That is very honest of him. I really believe medicinal marijuana works having tried it myself.
Tammy at 1:12PM on Mar 19th 2007
7. I second the educated comments by Faye, someone who has apparently actually taken the time to research something our government would prefer we not look into. We have been fed lies about marijuana for many years, and we have wasted billions of dollars putting harmless pot smokers behind bars.
Our elected officials would prefer we were all like Jackie, whose earlier comment serves as a reminder- the brain, what a terrible thing to waste.
It may not be enough to earn my presidential vote, but a tip of the hat at least to Richardson for having the guts to sign that bill.
Larry at 6:16PM on Mar 19th 2007
8. As a New Mexican, (yes we are part of America), I strongly support Bill, he has made a real difference in our state. He has been a world diplomat. He has traveled to countries that our "top leaders" are afraid to talk to without a third party mediation. He has resolved issues other parties and canidates just glorify during the election years, and then you never hear about them again. Bill does what he says, and if he can not do it, or it is not plausible anymore, he ACTUALLY holds himself responsible, and has an explanation. ask that of ANYONE else that has the word "politician" associated with their name...
joe at 2:48PM on Mar 22nd 2007
9. Persoanlly Ijust Love Hillary and feel like we will once again get two for one! A BRILLIANT COUPLE!
However, Bill R%ichardson has brought some really good ideas for the country and is Quickly adding me to His list of supporters!
I don't feel like this is a Hillary vs Obama election as much as a Hillary vs Richardson race.
Jeannie McCarthy at 3:27AM on Apr 2nd 2007
10. It is good to see that compasion dominates the politics of New Mexico.
Sam at 4:21PM on Apr 13th 2007
11. I am a Republican and I am very seriously thinking about voting for Richardson. He is an excellent choice and not full of hot air like some of the others. He has done a lot for New Mexico and I feel he is sincere about ending the war and he in honest about his intensions. That is more than I can say for others.
Dorothy Reed at 2:02PM on Apr 22nd 2007