NM Medical Marijuana stopped by unrelated measure

Interesting article shows how complex and silly state leglislative activities can get.

Medical marijuana was one of this session’s most glaring examples of how bills can be delayed, held hostage and even killed as a result of political spats between lawmakers.

In this case, Rep. Dan Silva, D-Albuquerque, admitted this week he was working to hold up SB 795 until the Senate Judiciary Committee heard a bill of his dealing with impact fees on Albuquerque developers.

The connection was Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, the chairman of the judiciary committee as well as the sponsor of the medical-marijuana bill.

The medical marijuana bill died without being heard because they literally ran out of time. Governor Bill Richardson said he would have signed it.