YOUR COMMENTS

sooo, Stephen A. if you wouldn't mind, cite your sources. Medical Marjiuana HAS been proven to reduce nausea and fight cataracts in Gluacoma patients. where exactly are your studies?
- Brandon M, New Boston

Daniel, the American Glaucoma Society rejects the use of smoked marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma. As does every other medical society, including the American Cancer Society. I do wish people would get the facts and stop relying on the pro-pot lobby for their misinformation.
- Stephen A., Manchester

Wow, I'm impressed with the overwhelming support on this blog. I surely thought I'd see at least one "we're turning into Mass" comments. Maybe this is evidence that we have turned in to Mass! Either way, it's sensible, I wouldn't mind if the state had more oversight, e.g. who can cultivate and distribute and more protections for others (e.g. glaucoma).
But it is a good start and perhaps many people just feel this is a live free or die thing and are moderately supportive.
- Daniel, Manchester

The House and Senate has been duped, as have many of New Hampshire’s citizens. Smoked pot is not a proven or approved treatment or medicine for any disease. Emotional pleas and anecdotes aside, nothing is a medicine if it’s self-administered in doses the users THINK “might” be “helping.” That’s human experimentation, and it’s foolish to think of it as anything else. As in California, which passed an identical bill, so-called "patients" will likely soon be walking into newly set-up "clinics" and "pot dispensaries" across the state in a few months (or earlier) complaining of supposed headaches and back problems so they can smoke pot. Nice job with the back-door legalization, “liberal”tarians and Democrats. I hope Gov. Lynch has the good sense to veto this nonsense bill.
- Stephen A., Manchester

Thank you so much for passing this! I hope that I can make some nice brownies soon for my parents soon to ease their personal health issues without fear of being arrested. I am not afraid of them becomming users of coke, crack or heroin because that is just bunk. It's a great day! It is ridiculous that this plant has been illegal for so long! Folks seem to miss the fact that you don't have to smoke it, you can make butter, tinctures, extracts, etc...Thank you, thank you, thank you!
- Bob, Peterborough

What about Glaucoma patients ? Seems to me they would get the most benefit from it, and its not offered to them ?
- Jon, Manchester

For far too long innocent and non-violent drug offenders have been treated as criminals for using a drug that never should have been made illegal in the first place.

The government lists it as Schedule I which implies there is no acceptable medical use, yet it has proved its worth medicinally over and over again.

The "War on Drugs" is the longest running and most expensive "war" ever, and so long as people desire to consume cannabis, it will exist.

I was born and have lived in NH my whole life, and I always found pride in the notion of "Live Free Or Die", but if there is no room in our prisons for rapists and murderers because they are full of non-violent drug offenders then clearly we ought to rethink our policies.

Medicinal use is just one step, its time for decriminalization.
- Eric, Derry

Not that I favor use of these drugs, but at least this vote is in keeping with out great state motto: "Live Free or Die". I wonder if the seat belt bill will be similarly defeated in keeping with our state motto.
- Nick, Manchester

Thanks for the clarification! A listener to the audio feed identifies it as almost party-line; apparently Betsy DeVries was the only Democrat to vote against, and Gallus was the only Republican to vote for.
- Peter, Canterbury

Dont knock it unless you tried it! Everyone has differant experiances with evey kind of drug. Some good. Some bad.It helped my mother with her stomach cancer.
- FreddyD, Goffstown

My faith in my state, the legislative system, and people as a whole, has been restored. It's time for Governor Lynch to listen. The people and the politicians have spoken. Please sign this into law. The opinion of one man should not override the consensus.
- Richard, Brentwood

good! - they should be able to grow their own, and not have to go buy it from a hospital where they already charge $20.00 for a Tylenol!
Live Free or Die - I'm holding on to my faith in our motto
- George, Manchester

Good for the Senate. Was this (mostly or completely) a party-line vote and the U-L doesn't want to admit it sided with Democrats, or was there a broader mix? Given the 14-10 split in the Senate's partisan makeup, a 14-10 result looks like a party-line vote if no other information is presented.

*** Editor's note: The Senate is still in session. We're posting short updates after today's key votes. Look for more detailed coverage from State House Bureau Chief Tom Fahey later today and tomorrow. ***
- Peter, Canterbury

Yes! Another step in the right direction. New Hampshire is finally realizing how beneficial this bill really is. I am really glad to see this. The police mentioned must be completely confused as to what marijuana really is. They probably think it is as powerful as alcahol or heroin. Ha.

Thanks NH.
- Jon, Lincoln

This bill stinks. It does not provide nearly enough protections from arrest and prosecution. You can possess it but you can't buy it. You can grow it, but who the hell has the time and will, especially if you're sick. It does not allow enough medical conditions. Maybe they have to start with a bad law before they write a good one, but I wish they would stop dilly dallying and just legalize it already.
- Brian, Manchester

Glad to see that patients will not have to be subjected to Draconian laws that are clearly enabled to make money for innocent actions.

One not for Gov Lynch
"Gov. John Lynch has said he thinks the bill should limit distribution to hospices or hospitals"
This is clearly an act to hold ALL profit for corporations like hospitals. My dad made a really good point
"when you get a lawyer who does he work for? you. when you get a doctor who do they work for? the hospital"

Other states have compassionate caregivers who can supply the medication to the patient. this is a sure way to boost the economy and will put people to work, not the case with restricting access to hospitals.

Thanks NH "Live Free or Die"
Wonder is I have to wear my seatbelt....
- Kevin, Nashua