THE STATE House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that would reduce the penalties on possession of small amounts of marijuana. What were they smoking?

The idea was to keep kids who harmlessly toke up from being sent to jail. But kids don't harmlessly toke up.

Contrary to propaganda spread by pro-pot groups, marijuana is addictive. Partly because of this, it is a gateway drug to more seriously dangerous narcotics. Tolerance to the effects of marijuana smoking can build up quickly, and kids who no longer get the high they once got often will do more pot or upgrade to stronger drugs.

Gov. John Lynch is right that the bill sends entirely the wrong signal to New Hampshire's youth, and he is right to threaten a veto.

Supporters of the bill say young people shouldn't go to prison for simply possessing a joint or two. But police say that doesn't happen. Those kids get fined, and the bigger fish get locked up.

This bill would likely lead to more drug use, and more drug dealing, and the Senate should kill it at the first opportunity.