News » New Hampshire House Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

March 17, 2011 by justin

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Photo: Marxchivist

The New Hampshire House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a new law allowing for the medical use of marijuana in the state. This comes as somewhat of a surprise considering that Republicans hold a 3:1 super-majority, and generally speaking do not favor laws that make cannabis more accessible, even for medical purposes.

The bill, HB442, was introduced by Rep. Evalyn Merrick (D-Coos) – who is a cancer survivor – and is sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Jim Forsythe (R-Strafford), which gives it bipartisan support and a greater chance of becoming law.

HB442 passed 221-96, or by 69.7% in favor (view the text and status of HB442 here), and now must go before the Senate and be signed by the governor before taking effect. A similar bill was vetoed by Gov. John Lynch two years ago but this legislation may not necessarily meet the same fate considering public opinion in New Hampshire.

When asked if they were in favor of allowing the compassionate use of marijuana 71% agreed with only 21% opposing in a 2008 Mason-Dixon

If it passes, New Hampshire state law would allow an approved patient or caregiver to obtain one ounce of marijuana every 10 days, and to possess up to two ounces at any one time.

[source Boston Globe]

Tags: Evalyn Merrick, HB442, Jim Forsythe, John Lynch, medical, MMJ, New Hampshire