NH Governor Vetoes Medical Marijuana Bill

[LogicSoDeveloped]

In a disappointing but expected move yesterday, New Hampshire governor John Lynch vetoed a bill that would have legalized medical marijuana in the state. Lynch had vetoed a similar medical marijuana bill back in 2009.

This new bill, SB 409, would have allowed people with serious illness to get a doctor’s recommendation to use medical marijuana so they can then register with the state. From Governor Lynch’s office explaining why he issued his veto:

SB 409 authorizes a patient to cultivate and transport up to 6 ounces of marijuana at any given time, and to possess for their use up to 2 ounces of marijuana at any point in time. While the bill requires the patient to obtain a written certification from a physician attesting to their qualifying medical condition before the patient is eligible to obtain a registry card authorizing medicinal marijuana use, the bill does not contemplate any medical guidance by the certifying physician concerning the amount or frequency of marijuana use. This is a significant difference from the prescription and use of any other controlled drug, where the patient is given specific medical guidance on how much of a drug to take and how often to take it.

Given that there are many types of marijuana with different degrees of potency, I am concerned that the absence of restrictions on the amount and frequency of use of marijuana combined with the amounts allowed under the bill for possession could pose significant health dangers.

There is still chance that the bill could become law this year despite the veto. The state legislature can override the veto with a 2/3rd vote in both chambers. While in the House of Representatives the law should easily clear that threshold, it should face a more difficult time in the state Senate.

Fortunately, Gov Lynch is not seeking another term this year and there is a strong chance that the next governor will be more supportive of medical marijuana. The two top Democrats in the primary, Jackie Cilley and Maggie Hassan, both voted for the medical marijuana bill in 2009, which was eventually vetoed by Lynch.

source: http://justsaynow.firedoglake.com/2012/06/22/nh-governor-vetoes-medical-marijuana-bill/

 

[Foreigner]

Follow the money trail and you will no doubt find that he is receiving big contributions from big pharma or the prison sector.

Democracy doesn't exist anymore.

 

[THC2LSD]

In 2009, I vetoed HB 648, which would have established compassion centers in New Hampshire to cultivate and distribute marijuana for use by persons suffering from serious illness. I acknowledged then and continue to express my personal compassion for those that suffer from debilitating medical conditions who wish to use marijuana to help alleviate their symptoms and the side effects of medical treatment.

He has compassion for the sick, he'll give them food and shelter in jail.

Under this bill, the number of potential marijuana cultivation sites is virtually unlimited. The distribution of marijuana under SB 409 cannot effectively be controlled, with the result being the proliferation of marijuana for unlawful use. Marijuana remains among the most widely abused drugs in this state, and SB 409 will not provide tightly controlled access for medical use.

And now that it's illegal, there's no proliferation of growth or use.

While the bill requires the patient to obtain a written certification from a physician attesting to their qualifying medical condition before the patient is eligible to obtain a registry card authorizing medicinal marijuana use, the bill does not contemplate any medical guidance by the certifying physician concerning the amount or frequency of marijuana use. This is a significant difference from the prescription and use of any other controlled drug, where the patient is given specific medical guidance on how much of a drug to take and how often to take it.

Hasn't he heard of ad lib(take as desired), not unheard of for pain/anxiety meds? His wife is a doctor.

Given that there are many types of marijuana with different degrees of potency, I am concerned that the absence of restrictions on the amount and frequency of use of marijuana combined with the amounts allowed under the bill for possession could pose significant health dangers.

What health dangers, munches and couchlock?

I continue to believe that the most effective manner in which to facilitate the safe and controlled use of marijuana for medical purposes is to distribute the drug like any other controlled substance through a regulated prescription system.

No, he wants it to be even more restricted than cocaine or oxycodone.

They did the whole, "well I'm not anti-sick patient," bullshit in my state AZ.They're constantly finding new ways to make life miserable for medical marijuana patients and growers. Luckily the AZ state constitution forbids the legislature tampering of a voter approved initiative, so there's only so much damage they can do.

Democrats like him piss me off as much as Republicans do.

 

[mgrady3]

this guy again...
thorn in the side of NH

they were so close this time , in the senate, to getting the votes to override the veto.

I'm just glad I'll be here in NH to seem him leave office.
Hopefully I'll be here long enough to see this bill - or rather tis future incarnation pass with ease.