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LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) – A 70-year-old cancer patient who uses medical marijuana will keep his federal housing subsidy for a rental home in the northern New Mexico city of Las Vegas.
Robert Jones had been dropped from the subsidy program over his participation in New Mexico's medical marijuana program.
But San Miguel County Attorney Jesus Lopez says county commissioners, acting as the county housing board, reversed the decision Wednesday.
Lopez, as hearing officer for the issue, recommended Jones be reinstated to the housing program. He said the vote at the end of a two-hour hearing was unanimous.
Jones joined New Mexico's medical marijuana program in October 2007 when he was diagnosed with cancer.
The retired political consultant said he told county housing authority officials he used marijuana before signing a statement agreeing to follow a rule not to participate in drug-related criminal activity.
But the housing authority sent him a letter Oct. 12 telling him he would be dropped from the housing program as of Nov. 30.
Although medical marijuana is legal in New Mexico, it's illegal under federal law, and Jones' use violated the rule against drug-related criminal activity, the letter said.
Lopez said the County Commission relied on a 1999 opinion from the general counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in reaching Wednesday's decision.
"So we believe we're following the law," he said.
Jones' attorney, Jeremy Theoret of Albuquerque, said several people testified on Jones' behalf, including his doctor, his caregiver and his landlord.
Jones falls under HUD's housing voucher program, known as Section 8, administered locally by San Miguel County's Section 8 Housing Authority. The program, which Jones joined in March 2009, pays $156 of his $400-a-month rent, he said.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: necn.com
Contact: NECN: Breaking News, U.S. and New England News, Boston Weather, Politics, Business
Copyright:2010 necn.com
Website:NM medical marijuana patient keeps housing subsidy
Robert Jones had been dropped from the subsidy program over his participation in New Mexico's medical marijuana program.
But San Miguel County Attorney Jesus Lopez says county commissioners, acting as the county housing board, reversed the decision Wednesday.
Lopez, as hearing officer for the issue, recommended Jones be reinstated to the housing program. He said the vote at the end of a two-hour hearing was unanimous.
Jones joined New Mexico's medical marijuana program in October 2007 when he was diagnosed with cancer.
The retired political consultant said he told county housing authority officials he used marijuana before signing a statement agreeing to follow a rule not to participate in drug-related criminal activity.
But the housing authority sent him a letter Oct. 12 telling him he would be dropped from the housing program as of Nov. 30.
Although medical marijuana is legal in New Mexico, it's illegal under federal law, and Jones' use violated the rule against drug-related criminal activity, the letter said.
Lopez said the County Commission relied on a 1999 opinion from the general counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in reaching Wednesday's decision.
"So we believe we're following the law," he said.
Jones' attorney, Jeremy Theoret of Albuquerque, said several people testified on Jones' behalf, including his doctor, his caregiver and his landlord.
Jones falls under HUD's housing voucher program, known as Section 8, administered locally by San Miguel County's Section 8 Housing Authority. The program, which Jones joined in March 2009, pays $156 of his $400-a-month rent, he said.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: necn.com
Contact: NECN: Breaking News, U.S. and New England News, Boston Weather, Politics, Business
Copyright:2010 necn.com
Website:NM medical marijuana patient keeps housing subsidy
