OVERRIDE VETO OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

Governor John Lynch disappointed many people in pain and suffering on
Friday when he vetoed the proposed medical marijuana law in New
Hampshire. He also disappointed their families and friends.

He said he could "empathize" with the supporters of the bill. But if
he could empathize with the people in pain or nausea who would have
benefited from medical marijuana he might have signed the bill.

Instead, he sided with law enforcement arguments about the drug
somehow getting into the hands of people who don't qualify.

"The fact remains that marijuana use for any purpose remains illegal
under federal law," he said.

That didn't stop 13 other states — and governors — from passing
similar laws.

We hope the Legislature will override his veto. However, the numbers
needed to reach a two-thirds majority to do so in the House and Senate
look doubtful.

But the bill's sponsor, Rep. Evalyn Merrick of Lancaster, says she
will try.

Sen. Martha Fuller Clark of Portsmouth said the Legislature "leaned
over backwards to create the most focused law in the country" and that
law enforcement concerns were "ill-founded" and had been addressed.

She also is probably correct when she says advocates of medical
marijuana will have to go back to the drawing board next year.

They will have to make their message clear to more people. This past
session was filled with controversial bills. Maybe next year will
allow more time for the issue to be examined and debated.

Maybe next year the governor will come to the correct decision.