Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jun 2013
Source: Union Leader (Manchester, NH)
Copyright: 2013 The Union Leader Corp.
Contact:  http://www.theunionleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/761
Note: Out-of-state letters are seldom published.
Author: Garry Rayno

NH MEDICAL MARIJUANA OK'D BY LEGISLATURE

CONCORD - With little discussion, the Senate and House voted 
overwhelmingly to allow chronically and terminally ill patients to 
use marijuana if other drugs prove ineffective.

Gov. Maggie Hassan has said she will sign the bill. When she does, 
New Hampshire will become the final New England state to establish a 
medical marijuana program and the 19th state along with Washington, 
D.C., with similar programs.

House Bill 573 establishes a medical marijuana program for New 
Hampshire patients who are both chronically ill and exhibit certain 
symptoms, and who have had the same physician for more than three months.

Earlier this session the Senate bowed to Hassan's concerns and 
removed provisions from the bill allowing patients to grow their own 
plants. She also sought and the Senate agreed to eliminate post 
traumatic stress syndrome from the program.

The House and Senate agreed last week to a compromise bill that 
mirrored the Senate changes.

Sen. Peggy Gilmour, D-Hollis, praised the compromise and said it will 
provide "one more tool in the toolbox for people who are, 
unfortunately, suffering."

The House approved the compromise agreement without debate.

"This legislation has been a long time coming and is a much-needed 
victory for those with serious illnesses who find significant relief 
in medical marijuana," said Matt Simon, a legislative analyst for the 
Marijuana Policy Project. "People suffering from cancer and HIV/AIDS 
in New York and other states are just as deserving of sensible and 
compassionate laws as those here in New Hampshire."

Under the bill, patients would purchase marijuana from four regional 
dispensaries. A person who qualifies for the program must have both a 
debilitating disease such as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS or hepatitis C, 
and conditions such as significant weight loss, severe pain or 
wasting syndrome.

Many medical marijuana supporters balked at Hassan's requests, but 
said it is important to pass a medical marijuana bill this session. 
Lawmakers have approved medical marijuana in the past, only to have 
former Gov. John Lynch veto the bills and legislators fail to override.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom