Republican-controlled N.H. House overwhelmingly passes medical marijuana!

Published: March 16, 2011

House sends a message to Senate: Compassion is not a partisan issue

Today, in a 221-96 non-roll call vote, the New Hampshire House of Representatives approved H.B. 442, Rep. Evalyn Merrick’s compassionate medical marijuana legislation! At least 52.8% of Republicans present voted for the bill, and likely more, proving that medical marijuana is not a partisan issue.

This vote also sets a New Hampshire legislative record, with 69.7% of those present voting to support seriously ill patients. That margin, in a House controlled by a nearly 3:1 Republican supermajority, even eclipses the 67.6% of those present who voted to override Gov. Lynch’s veto in a Democrat-controlled House in 2009. As Kirk McNeil of NHCompassion.org said in a press release, “Today's vote sent a strong message from the House that compassion for patients is not a Blue vs. Red issue in New Hampshire.”  

The Senate will be a tougher hill to climb, but you can take the first step by taking action and e-mailing your senator to support H.B. 442, the tightly regulated medical marijuana bill. Your senators need to hear from you, especially because many of them are new and are not familiar with your stories, or the obvious benefits of medical marijuana.