Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jun 2009
Source: Union Leader (Manchester, NH)
Copyright: 2009 The Union Leader Corp.
Contact:  http://www.theunionleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/761
Note: Out-of-state letters are seldom published.
Author: Tom Fahey

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL NOW GOING TO LYNCH

CONCORD - With House and Senate passage of a medical  marijuana bill, 
it is up to Gov. John Lynch to decide  whether critically and 
terminally ill patients will  have access to the drug.

The Senate voted 14-10 and the House voted 232-108 to  pass a 
compromise bill version of HB 648.

Lynch said he has not reviewed the latest form of the  bill, so does 
not know if he will sign it.

"My concern all along has been the cultivation and  distribution of 
it, not its dispensation to people who  need it," he said. "I'll be 
looking at the bill very  carefully and using that test as I review 
it as to  whether or not to go forward with the bill."

HB 648 sets up a system of three so-called compassion  centers where 
marijuana would be grown. The non-profit  centers can distribute up 
to two ounces of marijuana  every 10 days to each patient certified 
by the state  and their doctor.

Patients have to be suffering debilitating or terminal  illness, or 
severe symptoms of chemotherapy or other  treatment. Qualifying 
ailments include cancer,  glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease 
and multiple  sclerosis.

Rep. Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua, said she thinks 150  patients would 
qualify each year. After two years, two  more non-profit centers 
could open, she said.

Thirteen states have changed their laws to allow  medical use of 
marijuana, although it is still illegal  under federal law.

Rep. David Hess, R-Hooksett, argued against the bill  yesterday 
during debate, saying "every act authorized  by this bill ... is a 
violation of federal criminal  law." He said the bill wrongly allows 
compassion centers to be located within 500 feet of a school.

Democratic Floor Leader Rep. Daniel Eaton of Stoddard  said the bill 
is the most restrictive in the country.

"Sick people should be called patients, not criminals,"  he said. "I 
believe our friends and neighbors going  through darkest most painful 
hours of their lives  should be afforded the same compassion and 
humanity  that is afforded them in 13 other states."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart