PORTSMOUTH -- Gov. John Lynch's veto of the medical marijuana bill was met with mixed reactions locally. In his veto message, Lynch said while "I have been open, and remain open, to allowing tightly controlled usage of marijuana for appropriate medical purposes," the "defects" in the bill that passed with bipartisan support in the Legislature prevented his support. "I have tremendous compassion for people who believe medical marijuana will help alleviate the symptoms of serious illnesses and the side effects of medical treatment," Lynch said. "But in making laws, it is not enough to have an idea worthy of consideration. The details of the legislation must also be right." [continues 523 words]
N.H. Legislature Debating Decriminalization Alaska has done it. So has California, Colorado, Nevada, Minnesota, Mississippi and Maine. A total of 12 states have enacted some version of marijuana decriminalization since 1973 and supporters of a small marijuana reform bill in the New Hampshire Legislature are asking, why not here? Because, said Rep. Everett Weare, R-Seabrook, "I think you're opening a Pandora's box" of problems and abuse and it "would violate federal policy and federal law." David Welch, one of Weare's fellow members on the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, understands the concerns of decriminalization critics but the Kingston Republican believes it's time to talk - especially about the long-term potential harm to young people caught in the capricious nature of the criminal justice system. [continues 843 words]
