Pubdate: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 Source: Telegraph, The (Nashua, NH) Copyright: 2009 Telegraph Publishing Company Contact: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/885 Author: Hattie Bernstein Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) MARIJUANA GROWTH, USE HOT TOPIC IN '09 Marijuana was in the news in New Hampshire in 2009. Hollis farmer David Orde's arrest for growing pot drew widespread interest, and the spotlight was later trained on the state Legislature after it tried to legalize marijuana for medical use. Orde, 54, was arrested in July 2008 on felony marijuana-growing charges after a Hollis police officer went to serve him with a complaint for failing to license his dog. After getting no answer at the main door, the officer went around to the side of the house at 2 Blood Road and spotted 16 marijuana plants growing in pots on a deck. His case ended up in Hillsborough County Superior Court, where Orde waived his right to a trial by jury and put the matter into the hands of Judge James Barry. Barry found Orde guilty and on Sept. 15 sentenced him to 12 months in jail, suspending all but 60 days. The judge also agreed the sentence wouldn't be imposed while Orde appealed his conviction to the state Supreme Court. Orde admitted growing the plants and said he was "stupid" for doing so. He also said police were "ridiculous" to arrest him, court records said. Unrelated to Orde's case, the state House of Representatives passed HB 648, a bill to legalize medical marijuana, by a 240-115 vote. But the bill was vetoed by the governor and an attempt by the state Senate to override the veto fell two votes short, 14-10. State lawmakers had been following the lead of at least 13 states that have legalized marijuana for medical use. New Hampshire's neighbor, Maine, legalized the drug in April, but not by a vote of lawmakers. The Legislature didn't take a position when faced with a citizen petition to amend the state's medical marijuana law, leaving it to the voters, who approved the measure that allows for dispensaries. Legalization has also received tacit support from the federal government's chief executive: President Barack Obama has said he won't pursue federal prosecution for medical marijuana use in states that have laws that regulate and legalize the product. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake