Medical Marijuana: Yes, 14-10
Tom Fahey
April 29, 2009
Union Leader
Concord – Critically and terminally ill patients would be able to use marijuana to ease their pain under a bill the Senate passed today.
By a 14-10 vote, the Senate approved House Bill 648, which allows patients with approval from both their doctors and the state to have up to two ounces and six plants of marijuana. The law allows a patient to designate one caregiver to grow or possess marijuana for them. They can also obtain the drug from another certified patient.
The bill also sets up a commission to study whether the state should create a system for distributing medicinal marijuana, and the issues that state involvement would raise.
The Senate version differs in some respects from what the House passed. It will be up to the House to concur with the changes, or go into negotiations with the Senate.
Gov. John Lynch has said he thinks the bill should limit distribution to hospices or hospitals.
If the bill becomes law, New Hampshire would become the 14th state to legalize medicinal use of marijuana, joining Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont among others.
Police and the Attorney General’s Office opposed the bill, saying it will make enforcement of state and federal drug laws more difficult.
The bill bars patients from using marijuana in any public places including schools, workplaces, parks and prisons. | 
