Concord – Medical marijuana backers will have to go back to work at the State House in January.

The Legislature failed today to override Gov. John Lynch’s veto of a bill that would have allowed seriously and terminally ill patients legal access to marijuana. It takes a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to override a veto.

The Senate was the stumbling block for backers of the bill, House Bill 648. Senators voted as they did in the spring 14-10 to override, but it takes 16 Senate for a two-thirds majority.

The override move succeeded in the House, which voted 240-115 to reject the veto, over the margin it needed.

The bill would have allowed those with debilitating or terminal illness to buy marijuana at one of three compassion centers in the state.

Opponents said the bill needs a more specific definition of what constitutes a debilitating medical condition.

Those in favor of it argued on grounds of compassion and common sense, saying patients need the relief if provides and law enforcement has shown declining interest in opposing it.

Both the House and Senate upheld Lynch’s vetoes of three other bills.

►AP Audio: Bill sponsor Rep. Evalyn Merrick says fellow legislators made "a choice based on political expediency."
►AP Audio: Bill opponent Rep. Shawn Jasper
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