Bill Richardson Defends Against Bush’s War on Cancer Patients

Bill Richardson is receiving some unfavorable press and comments in the blogosphere today following a joke on all the changes in primary and caucus dates. At least a New Mexico television station is covering some real news about an issue of significance–Richardson’s campaign for legalization of medical use of marijuana:

A battle is brewing in Santa Fe over medical marijuana. An angry Governor Richardson wants the feds to leave sick New Mexicans alone and let them grow their pot.

But a Santa Fe County Commissioner is speaking out, saying he’s going to fight to get rid of the medical marijuana law.

The current law shields patients from state prosecution, but not from the feds.

“I’m very concerned that the Bush administration instead of going after drug dealers, is going after people suffering from cancer, a paraplegic, most recently,” said Governor Richardson…

“The Bush administration seems to be, because they’re unable to go after drug dealers, they seem to be picking on people suffering from cancer. That’s inexplicable to me. And I’m gonna fight them,” said Governor Richardson.

4 Comments

  1. 1
    david says:

    Wow, that seems like a risky thing for a Presidential candidate to do, no? Maybe he’s hoping it’ll increase he support among pot-heads, so that he’ll finally be bumped up to “first-tier.” I hope he’s just doing what he thinks is right.

  2. 2
    Ron Chusid says:

    Cancer patients who receive relief of symptoms with medically prescribed marijuana are hardly “pot-heads.” I’m sure Richardson is doing what he believes is right.

  3. 3
    battlebob says:

    Hate to tell you this David, but most of the “pot heads” who smoke dope to relieve the pain of cancer and chemo won’t be around to vote in November, 2008.

    Usually a candidate wants his supporters to be alive on voting day.

  4. 4
    Ron Chusid says:

    Battlebob,

    Many more people are surviving longer with cancer. Many who are miserable on chemotherapy at present, and want to use marijuana for relief of symptoms, may actually be around on election day. I doubt this issue will have much bearing on the presidential election, but I’m sure glad to see Richardson speaking out on the issue. I hope this gets more candidates to also do so.

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