Pubdate: Thu, 11 Mar 2010
Source: Eagle-Tribune, The (MA)
Copyright: 2010 The Eagle-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.eagletribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/129
Author: Terry Date
Cited: New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy 
http://nhcommonsense.org/
Cited: Gov. John Lynch http://www.governor.nh.gov/

HOUSE OKS MARIJUANA BILL

But Not Enough Votes to Override Veto

A bill to decriminalize possession of a quarter-ounce or less of 
marijuana won convincing support yesterday in the House with a 
214-137 vote. But the tally is about 17 votes short of the two-thirds 
majority needed to override a veto promised by Gov. John Lynch.

Rep. Frank Sapareto, R-Derry, who voted for the legislation, said the 
state's marijuana possession law is harsh enough. The penalty is a 
$2,000 fine and a year in jail.

Furthermore, Sapareto said a conviction can close doors for young 
people, putting federal loans for college or military enlistment at 
risk. "It's ridiculous," he said.

The decriminalization bill now heads to the Senate. Sen. Mike 
Downing, R-Salem, a former state trooper and police officer, has yet 
to support a marijuana decriminalization bill.

"I haven't voted for it yet," Downing said. He doesn't see that trend 
changing. Downing said his law enforcement background tells him 
marijuana use leads to harder drugs.

And, regardless of whether the state decriminalizes marijuana 
possession, it's still a federal crime, he said.

If the New Hampshire bill becomes law, possession of a quarter-ounce 
or less would be a violation, carrying a penalty of $200.  Marijuana 
possession is now a Class A misdemeanor.

Matt Simon, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition for 
Common Sense Marijuana Policy, was pleasantly surprised with 
yesterday's House vote. The decriminalization effort is making 
headway, and many legislators support the proposal.

Two years ago, the House voted 193-141 to support decriminalization 
after the bill was rejected by the Justice Committee, 13-5. This 
year, the bill received approval from the Justice Committee, 16-2, 
before the 214-137 vote by the entire House.

Simon doesn't expect the bill to become law this year but is not 
ruling out the possibility.

"We know the governor is against it, but we expect a fair hearing in 
the Senate," Simon said. "After three years in a row, we expect to be 
taken seriously in the Senate."

The governor released a statement yesterday reaffirming his 
opposition to decriminalization, saying he shares "the law 
enforcement community's concerns about proliferation of this drug."

"We should not make the jobs of parents - or law enforcement - harder 
by sending a false message that some marijuana use is acceptable," 
Lynch said. The governor said he will veto a marijuana 
decriminalization bill if it reaches his desk.

Simon rejects the governor's argument. "If he thinks people in New 
Hampshire should be imprisoned up to a year in jail for possessing 
small amounts of marijuana, we'd love to hear his explanation," Simon said.

Last year, New Hampshire's attempt to legalize marijuana for 
medicinal use fell just two votes shy in the Senate of overturning 
Lynch's veto.  The House successfully overcame the veto.

Massachusetts decriminalized marijuana in November 2008. Possession 
of an ounce or less is a civil infraction punishable by a fine of $100. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake