Help pass a medical marijuana law in New Hampshire in 2009

Currently, seriously ill New Hampshire patients whose pain and suffering could be relieved by the medical use of marijuana are forced to make a terrible decision: continue to suffer or obtain marijuana illegally and risk arrest and prison. MPP has retained a lobbyist and is working with an organizer, patients, and activists to allow medical marijuana in New Hampshire in 2009. But we need your help.

In order to pass medical marijuana legislation, we need to hear from patients who could benefit (or are already benefiting) from medical marijuana. If you are a patient who might benefit from medical marijuana, or if you know somebody who might benefit from medical marijuana, please e-mail Zane@mpp.org to find out how you can help.

Additionally, if you are a medical professional, law enforcement officer, or member of the clergy, your help could be particularly valuable. If you would like to volunteer to help with this effort, please contact me.

A 2008 Mason-Dixon poll showed that 71% of New Hampshire voters support allowing seriously and terminally ill patients to use and grow medical marijuana for personal use if their doctors recommend it. A majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents support this policy as well. With overwhelming public support like this, there is no excuse for New Hampshire legislators not to pass medical marijuana legislation, but legislators need to hear from you.

The legislative session is about to begin, so now is a great time to contact your legislator about this issue. It would be particularly helpful if you sent a handwritten letter to your legislators asking them to support medical marijuana legislation in 2009. You can use the talking points and your legislators' contact information here. If you would like help with a letter, please contact me.

In 2007, the New Hampshire House of Representatives defeated a bill that would have legalized medical marijuana in the state by an incredibly close 186-177 vote, with 37 not voting. Just nine votes out of 400 members prevented this bill from passing the House. With your help, we can make New Hampshire the next state to stop the cruel policy of arresting and prosecuting sick and dying patients who use marijuana to relieve their suffering.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this along to your friends, family, and e-mail lists in New Hampshire, so they can join in the reform as well.