I'M A POLICE OFFICER IN FAVOR OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

As one of two active law enforcement officers to testify in favor of
medical marijuana at a recent state Senate hearing, it became clear
to me that many people do not fully understand the implications of
opposing this bill.

Simply put, supporting the continued ban on medical marijuana means
subjecting seriously ill or handicapped individuals to arrest and
prosecution. HB 648 would allow a narrow class of sick and
handicapped individuals to use marijuana with their doctor's permission.

At the Senate hearing, two members of the law enforcement community
spoke against the legislation. They seemed defensive after I
testified that as a sworn enforcer of the law, it was my duty to
arrest and prosecute citizens who possess marijuana, even if
it used for easing their intense suffering. Although I do not
personally support this, it is my job to enforce the law as written,
and there is currently no legal reason to be in possession of marijuana.

It seems that some law enforcement, as well as many others who
oppose this bill, want to be disconnected from the reality of what
it is trying to do. HB 648 is meant to protect sick, frail and
handicapped patients from being handcuffed, arrested and labeled
as criminals for using marijuana when it is recommended by their doctors.

Some argue that marijuana may be unsafe. Some argue that legalizing
medical marijuana will make the job of law enforcement more
difficult, or that it will put states in violation of federal law.
These arguments distract from the real issue, which is whether these
patients should be considered criminals under the New Hampshire
legal framework.

Medical decisions between patients and their doctor should be
sacrosanct. Neither legislators nor the police should stop sick
patients from following their doctor's advice.

The chronically and terminally ill, the frail and handicapped all
suffer from debilitating pain and other symptoms. They deserve our
compassion, tolerance and understanding; not handcuffs, jail cells
and criminal records.

If you should ever fall ill, it may be your quality of life that is
improved by marijuana. Would you want to be arrested and labeled a criminal?

(Bradley Jardis of Hooksett is a police officer in Epping.)