NEW HAMPSHIRE'S DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP MISSES THE BOAT

My friends in New Hampshire say politics in Concord sometimes baffles
them.

No wonder. The state Senate, at the behest of its Democratic
leadership and the Democratic governor, recently thumbed its nose at
public opinion and sent a strange message to young adults.

For a party in control of state government for the first time since
1874, it was hardly a profile in courage.

The Senate killed a sensible reform of New Hampshire's anachronistic
marijuana possession law. But the end came after a surprisingly long
journey through the legislative process that demonstrated the courage
of the citizen-based state House and the timidity of the
politician-based state Senate.

New Hampshire's marijuana possession law is among the nation's
harshest, providing for a year in jail and a $2,000 fine for
possession of a single marijuana cigarette. That stands in contrast
to neighboring Maine and 10 other states, where possession of small
quantities is punishable only by a fine.

Two Nashua-area House members, Reps. Jeff Fontas and Andrew Edwards,
introduced a bill to move New Hampshire in a less punitive direction.

Noting that conviction of a Class A misdemeanor carries significant
collateral consequences for young adults -- including loss of student
financial aid and job opportunities -- they proposed to make
possession of small amounts of marijuana a violation punishable by a
fine alone, similar to other hotbeds of liberalism such as Ohio and
North Carolina.

The political establishment in Concord, busily attending
Chardonnay-fueled political fundraisers, collectively gasped.

First, they tried to kill the reform bill in its cradle. The House
Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee gave it an "inexpedient
to legislate" recommendation, which usually assures quick death on
the House floor.

But after hearing from constituents organized by the New Hampshire
Coalition for Common Sense, House members passed a revised version of
the bill and sent it to the Senate. The winning coalition included 40
libertarian-minded Republicans.

Senators weren't amused to find the unexpectedly healthy young
legislation on their doorstep. An even more distressed Gov. John
Lynch called for speedy euthanasia.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Foster duly promised the
bill

wouldn't emerge from the Senate alive, lest Democrats be tarred with
anything approaching common sense regarding drug policy.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the execution. A Mason-Dixon
poll revealed that a majority of the state's residents support a
reform measure even more ambitious than the one then pending in the
Senate.

By a 53 percent to 34 percent margin (with 13 percent undecided),
voters supported making possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana
subject to only a fine. The amended bill that passed the House would
only have eliminated jail time for a quarter ounce or less.

Despite this overwhelming voter support, the Senate leadership
dutifully imposed its own death sentence. On May 1, the Senate
carried out the sentence, without a word of protest.

It would have been nice if at least one senator had offered a fitting
eulogy for a good idea murdered by spineless politicians.

The Senate's action presents some interesting paradoxes for
Democrats.

They have now ensured that New Hampshire retains a marijuana
possession law far more draconian than red-state bastions such as
Nebraska and Mississippi.

And having stood up for civil unions and at least agreeing to study
mandatory seat belts, they appear to have lost their progressive zeal
over an issue far more likely to affect middle-class families.

A 21-year-old New Hampshire college student will continue to face a
long jail term, heavy fines, and severe student aid and career
consequences for possessing even a tiny amount of marijuana.

Lynch and his Senate allies are determined not to send young adults
"the wrong message."

It's enough to drive one to drink -- which, it turns out, isn't a bad
option in New Hampshire.

A college junior of legal age can rot in jail for a year for
possessing a single joint. But if she decides to drive to a bar, get
drunk to honor the governor's "message" and drive home sloshed, the
penalties are far lighter.

Non-aggravated drunk driving isn't a jailable offense in New
Hampshire.

Congratulations, Governor, message received.