New Hampshire Medical Marijuana Bill Vetoed by Governor Lynch

By Rachel Stockton

New Hampshire supporters of a state sanction of marijuana for medical purposes were dealt a blow by Governor John Lynch’s veto of the bill. In his statement following the veto, he stated that he still maintains an open mind on the subject.

Rep. Evalyn S. Merrick (D), author of the legislation, vowed to push for an override. Merrick, who suffers from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, authored the bill in an effort to allow patients to possess small amounts of marijuana. According to the website of the Medical Marijuana Project, Merrick is quoted as saying that ailing patients who could benefit from the drug are not drug abusers, but law abiding citizens “who only wish to find healing.”

Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge made a similar statement on the news show AC360; she told Anderson Cooper that the drug brought immediate pain relief and provided feelings of normalcy. Etheridge has been vocal about her use of marijuana in her struggle with breast cancer.

In his address following the veto, Lynch reminded constituents that possession of marijuana in any form is against federal law. He also said the bill, which had been modified to meet with his approval, still had too many “defects.” 

Lynch is correct; possession of medical marijuana is illegal at the federal level. However, President Obama is keeping his campaign promise of ceasing drug raids in those 13 states that have legalized the medical use of the drugs. Attorney General Eric H. Holder reiterated this promise in a March 2009 media address.