LEAVE N.H. LAW ON MARIJUANA IN PLACE

The heat seems to have left the debate over use and sale of marijuana
in New Hampshire, but we're not ready to accept that laws against its
use are too harsh.

Lawmakers and law enforcement officials are debating marijuana again
this session of the Legislature. While we don't seem to be hearing the
passionate pleas of past debates, we still feel there is cause to be
on the side of caution.

Advocates like Weed and critics in the state's Justice Department
remain at odds.

One of the bill's sponsor, Rep. Charles Weed, a Keene Democrat, told
some of his colleagues Wednesday legalizing marijuana would give
police more resources to combat violent crime.

Simon Brown, head of the attorney general's criminal justice bureau,
counters Weed's position, saying police resources would be stretched,
not relieved by legalization. Brown citied research suggesting the
drug leads to impaired driving and can even lead to violence.

Co-sponsors of the bill to end the bar on marijuana use and sale are
Reps. Steve Vaillancourt of Manchester and Paul Ingbretson of Pike,
both Republicans.

Similar proposals have failed before. Opposition from the attorney
general's office and state health officials and groups representing
police and county sheriff's has been consistent.

One advocate of repeal was heard to testify Wednesday, marijuana,
rather than contributing to violence slows down users. Slows people
down? Affecting reaction time? Creating additional driving impaired
drivers?

State Police Major David Kelly was forceful in representing his
agency's view of the campaign to repeal laws banning the use and sale
of marijuana. "Decriminalization will come at the expense of society,
of public safety, of children and of you," he told committee members.

For now at least, evidence seems to be on the side of the status
quo.

There is no substantive reason to tinker with the law against the sale
and use of marijuana and we trust the House Criminal Justice and
Public Safety Committee will find the bill "inexpedient to legislate."