Marijuana Policy Project

It was refreshing to see the Monitor call out the New Hampshire Senate for indicating that it might buck the tough issues of the death penalty, medical marijuana and gay marriage under the guise of focusing on the economy and the state budget ("Senate should have the courage to buck Lynch," editorial March 31).

Given the dire economic situation nationally and locally, everyone expects the economy to be the main focus of state government. But to claim that the economy precludes consideration of other issues would be deceitful.

Despite the current economic situation, the Senate has found enough time to pass more than 100 bills so far this year, many of which had little or nothing to do with budgets, stimulus or job growth. The Senate even passed a bill declaring the Chinook the state dog.

That the Senate wouldn't have enough time to consider fundamental rights or health care for our citizens, after taking the time to declare a state dog, is insulting. It's insulting to the hundreds of House members who worked hard to pass the legislation, it's insulting to the thousands of citizens who are affected by the legislation, and it's insulting to the hundreds of thousands of New Hampshire citizens who support the legislation. Given the actions taken by the Senate so far this year, it would be disingenuous to claim that the economy precludes consideration of other issues. Let's hope the Senate changes its tune before these critical issues are brushed aside for political expediency.