Presidential candidate Bill Richardson has signed a law legalizing the use of marijuana for medical reasons in New Mexico, making the state the 12th in the country to adopt such legislation. Gov. Richardson said the new law provides "a humane option for New Mexicans living with cancer, HIV and other serious medical conditions."

He is the first presidential candidate to ever sign medical marijuana into law, and should be commended for bravely taking a controversial position while running, and putting his pen where his heart is, instead of merely trying to appeal to some demographic "center," like candidate Hillary Clinton.

Richardson's signing of the bill drew immediate criticism from White House drug czar John Walters, who called the action "disappointing" and "irresponsible," and said it would worsen New Mexico's problem of illegal drug use, undermine the anti-drug message to youngsters and result in the control problems like those California has experienced.

The governor estimated 200 people could use the program. "It's a humane piece of legislation. It does not mean I support legalizing marijuana," Richardson said. "It means that we are alleviating suffering ... and I must tell you, I was overcome by the personal stories of pain and the personal appeals I got."

The governor said he had heard from law enforcement agencies unhappy with the new law, and he acknowledged it may be unpopular with others as well.

"So be it," he said.