A BETTER BILL FOR THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA CAN BE CRAFTED

Gov. John Lynch's veto of the medical marijuana bill fell short of an
override in the Senate this week. It was just as well. Now the
Legislature and the governor can revisit the measure and come up with
something that better represents the interests of the people of New Hampshire.

Lynch took issue with the wording of the measure, citing concerns
over distribution and cultivation. He also objected to the bill not
clearly restricting marijuana use to people suffering severe pain,
seizures or nausea.

The governor's route was one of caution; to do what is reasonable to
reduce the chances of abuse and to provide adequate safeguards
against illegal distribution and abuse of the drug.

Pain is something humankind has been made to bear for as long as it
has been on the planet. There are any number of diseases or
conditions that cause us pain. When it becomes too great to bear, we
are able to turn prescribed and controlled medications for relief.

Opponents of the failed marijuana bill don't want us to endure pain,
either as a chronic part of lives or as the end of lives draws near.
What responsible opponents of the failed measure want are adequate
controls, steps that will lessen the abusive use of marijuana and the
threat of it being a widespread recreational substance.

The Senate voted 14-10 Wednesday in favor of an override, but it
would have taken 16 votes to reach the two-thirds necessary to get
past the governor's veto. Earlier in the day, the House of
Representatives voted 240-115 to pass the bill over Lynch's objections.

We can't say we are pleased with the Senate vote. We had hoped there
would have been fewer senators voting for the measure than what was
the outcome. But even small victories present opportunities for
something better.

Supporters of the marijuana bill are expected to refile the measure
in the 2011 session, anticipating the 2010 elections will change the
makeup of the Legislature.

Change there might be, but will it be the kind of change advocates of
legalizing marijuana are seeking?

We understand the compassion supporters of the failed bill seek to provide.

New Hampshire missed becoming the 14th state to legalize the use of
marijuana by a narrow margin.

Breathing room was provided. Now, maybe the smoke can be cleared.

Is there a place for marijuana in providing legitimate relief for
people suffering chronic or terminal illness? Possibly so -- even
probably so. But let's be sure we understand what we are doing before we do it.

There is a lot of work to be done in an effort to modify the attempt
to legalize the use of marijuana. It should go without saying that
lawmakers ought to work with Lynch or whomever is elected governor
next year to come up with a law that will serve people suffering
acute and chronic pain and the people as a whole -- a law containing
adequate safeguards for patients and public.

Let's avoid becoming trapped in a haze of wanting to do what is the
compassionate thing just for the sake of doing something that will
make us feel good.

Let's be sure we are not relieving one level of pain only to cause a
greater social one.