Some of you already know that our medical marijuana bill was defeated 4 to 3 in the House Agriculture and Water committee. It was heartbreaking. One vote. All we needed was one vote to continue.

The final vote was cast by Representative Joe Stell. After he voted to table (aka kill) our bill, Essie Debonet exclaimed "Why are you trying to kill us?"

She immediately turned around and looked at me. I will never forget the fear and anger I saw in her eyes. The look on her face will haunt me forever. Essie suffers from serious side effects due to her HIV/AIDS medications.

Before the vote, Representative Cervantes bluntly stated that the bill was sent to the Agriculture Committee to be killed. He asked his colleauges to get the bill out of committee so the bill could receive the House floor vote it deserves.

Sadly, that will not happen this year. But we'll be back until we get this bill through. You can count on that.

Tags: Medical Marijuana, New Mexico.