First, Governor John Lynch vetoed the bill to legalize the use of medical marijuana in New Hampshire in July. Then, two days ago, the state senate failed to override Lynch’s veto by two votes. How can a state governing body be so wrong not once, but twice?
Medical marijuana can be a terminally ill patient’s saving grace. It curbs nausea and softens pain for those who deal with it every day. And the drug is much less toxic than many of chemotherapy poisons that doctors pump into cancer patients all the time. Medical marijuana doesn’t work for everyone, but why keep something illegal if it increases the quality of life for even a small few?
The people who stand up against the use of medical marijuana have little ground to stand on. They say more research needs to be done before grass can be passed as an acceptable prescription, but they don’t listen to the thousands of testimonials that say marijuana was the only thing that helped them through tough times. Those against the bill say it can be addictive and a gateway drug to more dangerous substances. Couldn’t the same be said for most prescription painkillers?
“This is a terrible message to send to our children,” said Senator Robert Letourneau, Republican of Derry, who voted against the bill.
A terrible message to children? What’s so terrible about the message that doctors will do whatever they can to alleviate a patient’s suffering? What an awful excuse.
“We should err on the side of caution,” said Representative Shawn Jasper, Republican of Hudson, who also voted not to override Lynch’s veto.
Caution? This is a black and white issue. Legalize it and fewer people have to be in crippling pain. It’s that simple. We’re not talking about lethargic, long haired hippies smoking to get high; we’re talking about cancer patients, people with AIDS or others who are severely ill.
Representative Evalyn Merrick of Lancaster said she would bring the bill up again for reconsideration in the 2011 legislative session, but it’s too late. The state government missed their chance. Another election season could completely change the spectrum of the house and the senate in New Hampshire. We might be years away from legal medical marijuana now, and that’s a shame.
1 comments