Lynch threatens veto after House votes to decriminalize pot

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Glad to see that our elected officals are in the hands of Lobbyist AGAIN. Bill is sponsored by Matt Simon of the NH Coaliation for Common Sense Marijuana Policy. Joining Member since Jan 15, 2008. http://www.sos.nh.gov/lobfirm.html

Thank you Democrat Majority from promoting teenage drug use, early parole for violent criminals, no parental notification for abortions, sanctuary state of illegal immigrants, and fiscal irresponsibility.

See you at the polls.
- Peter, stratham

<< I would never thought I would say this, but for the first time I agree with Governor Lynch. As a Conservative, I believe this bill should be vetoed. We need to promote more anti-drug education. >>

Ah yes, the new conservativism, where it means using massive government programs to enforce antiquated morality. Marijuana prohibition is also like the conservative version of attempting universal healthcare.

Believe it or not, you can have sane drug laws, and *still* have anti-drug education.

Here's a good education: It's called *College*, and thanks to the Aid Elimination Penalty in the Higher Education Act, over 200,000 students are denied financial aid because of Marijuana misdemeanors while Joe-Six-Pack-Violent-Fratboy-MBA can coast by on C's.
- Mark, Concord

I would never thought I would say this, but for the first time I agree with Governor Lynch. As a Conservative, I believe this bill should be vetoed. We need to promote more anti-drug education. As a teacher, I hear all sorts of crazy things about drugs, the students in my high school are ecstatic about this bill. Frankly, the house leaders should be disgusted with themselves. Every member in the NH House of Representatives who had voted on this piece of legislation should not be re-elected. However, getting back to the political aspect, I do believe that Lynch did use this for his own political gain, because his numbers have been dropping over the last several months, because Lynch hasn't done anything that shows real progress. I wasn't going to vote for him anyways, but I agree he has it right this one time.
- Michael, Loudon, NH

Which one of these forces you to be denied financial aid from college?

A) Arson
B) Burglary
C) Drunk Driving
D) Sexual Assault
E) Possession of Marijuana

You better believe the one and *only* answer is E! You puritanical hypocrites come off high and mighty with your "It sends the wrong message to the children!" preaching, but unfortunately, with the way the laws work right now, you're condoning A-D and you don't even know it!
- Mark, Concord

What sends the wrong message is that we let rapist and murderers out of jail after a couple of years for good behavior and so on (because it is more important to keep victimless crimes people locked down). But if you get caught with a joint it is a felony and you need to spend a year in jail and pay 2000$ (Yikes I thought this was a joke at first!).

How do you explain to your kids that pot is not a big deal and yet it is illegal and if you get caught you will end up a felon in jail? I guess you wait until they try it and then think that the adults are lying to them about all the other dangers in life and then it is too late.

I hope that there are still a few good police people that give kids a break once in a while and kick it in the dirt (Maybe call their parents not the government!) even thought they probably would be asked to resign after doing so. I am even more shocked that there are still people alive and think that the propaganda from the 1930’s was real. Even my parents in their 70’s know that pot is not as bad as the pharmaceuticals out there and of course alcohol. Oh and the gateway drug fear give me a break, I know hippies that have been smoking pot for 40-50 years and they are not out looking for crack cocaine and shooting up heroin everyday.

It about time people put down the pot long enough to reduce their paranoia and speak out. I know that too many people fear losing their high profile or high paying lifestyle and want to remain hidden in their basement sneaking a puff or two.
- Dave, Bow, NH

Prohibition failed. We tried it 70 years ago. Basic history lesson you learned in elementary school. Done. Go back to your lives citizens.
- Paul, Manchester

I don't usually say much about things, and I'm not a "pot smoker" however, its totally astounds me how much of taxpayers time & money are spent on marijuana users, dealers and growers when there is slime on the streets selling crack, meth, cocain, heroin etc. to our children and to other people. Why not legalize marijuana? No one has ever had to go to rehab because they smoked a joint. Its time to wake up and smell the coffee...marijuana doesn't hurt anybody. Perhaps some politicians need to climb off their high horses and get their pompous heads out of their posterior and take a look at whats really going on in the world today.
- Rose D, Dover

Everyone who stands against the decriminalization (and eventual legalization) of pot is a giant hypocrite...period. I know, because I used to be one of those people. As a note, I've never used it, and I don't plan on changing that fact in the future (not a fan of any kind of smoke in my lungs).

I always stood against bills/movements like this because I used to buy into all the fear-mongering. I really believed that pot was extremely dangerous and couldn't grasp why anyone would subject themselves to it. It took witnessing a close friend of mine's casual use of the "drug" to get me to question my beliefs. This was the most morally righteous, and one of the more intelligent, people that I've ever known, and it didn't have any adverse effects on him whatsoever.

You have to ask yourself, as I did, what is it about pot that you think is so evil/dangerous? Lung cancer? Cigarettes have caused countless more deaths by cancer than pot. Addiction? It's not a physically addictive substance. Gateway to worse drugs? It isn't any more a "gateway" than the many legal substances available (prescription drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.). Long-term effects? As with anything, moderation is key. For example, if you eat too much, you'll probably have weight and heart problems in the future.

The only worthy concerns about pot stem from unsavory drug traffickers, who could be violent and/or mix harmful/addictive substances into their product. If it was a regulated, taxed, legally acquirable product, these issues would go away (prohibition anyone?).

People need to start applying reason to this problem and stop hiding behind vague statements about "family values." Yes, it sure is neat that you can twist an undefined set of ideals around to fit neatly with any current view you might have, but it isn't a sound base for logical arguments.
- DB, Manchester

Brian in Farmington,

Vices are not crimes. “Everyone” should be free to do with **their** bodies what they like. Even in my chosen “euphoric state,” I—and all pot smokers—can tell the difference between smoking pot (a victimless crime) and killing or molesting someone (a crime against someone else’s body). Can’t you?
- CG, Hudson

I honestly don't see NH or any other state ever winning the "War on Drugs" meanwhile the casualties continue to pile up. Most of them teenagers that will be punished in the form of a lifetime of broken dreams from college to jobs, one night of youthful inhibition could lead to a lifetime of consequences.

We all know America has more people in jail than any other country, It's time we examined the root cause, and decide that this War on our own people does NOT JUSTIFY BANKRUPTING OUR GREAT NATION!!
- WD, Seabrooke

The state has liquor stores along its highways and our governor is upset about pot? This guy has to be the biggest phoney, lying, politician on earth. How about the UL asking him if his daughter, the one who was arrested for underage drinking, should go to jail if she smokes a joint. Help Help.. please.. get someone to run against Lynch.. get him out of Concord.. then we can Live Free or Die ... Happy.
- Thomas, Manchester, NH

Governor Lynch will never get my vote. He can not see that the drug war (prohibition) is the wrong direction. It did not work in the 1920’s nor will it ever work. Due some research on your own, you’ll be shocked at what you find. To bad all the people that were involved in amending the constitution, not once but twice are long gone.

Think about it, they amended the US Constitution TWICE! Do you think they did it a second time because they found out alcohol was harmless? Or did they do it because prohibition created a much greater harm then alcohol could ever cause?

All we are doing is passing a state law to make small amounts of MJ a non crime which 12 other states have already passed, and some for many years now. Again do some research and you will find that those states have not gone to pot.

As long as our leaders continue down this path, we as society will continue to pay the price. So the next time you see your taxes don’t complain, just pay them and think about all the people your helping in jail for drugs addictions, and all the kids you’re keeping safe.

What we think is the right think to do is not always the right thing to do. Use history as a guide to learn from our mistakes, or you will be condemned to repeat the same mistakes.
- JR, Manchester

People drive slow enough on 93 already - do we really need to add pot to the mix?

Do you know how fast you were going? SEVEN! Seven miles an hour! And normally, when I stop people, they pull onto the shoulder!
- Jonathan, Bedford

Thank goodness for the conservative Gov Lynch??????????????? Are you people kidding me??? THis is a political calculation to help him retain power. NOTHING ELSE. Hes got conservatives saying he's conservative!!!! What a joke. Lets put it on November's ballot and allow the people to decide. Bet he won't go for that. The last thing a liberal Democrat would want is for the people to decide something for themselves. They can't possibly no better than they do how to make decisions
- Marc, Raymond

Too bad potheads - you won't see your precious weed legalized here anytime soon. The adults will prevail on this one. I have to hand it to Lynch - he didn't really need to take a stand on this as it will die a fast death in the Senate. Yet, he got on record. Smart move politically. Meanwhile, all of the moonbat house members are now on record supporting this nonsense. We'll be sure to remind the voters (most of whom are not potheads) about these votes this fall. Time to clean house!
- Mark, Amherst

Greg from Windham, get a clue. Crack heads rob stores, not pot heads. Pot heads are lucky to find enough motivation to get up off the couch.
- Chris L, Manchester

Tom from Amherst. This is a marijuana issue. NOT a DUI issue. Its not decriminalizing DUI. It is about decriminilizing marijuana. So you think by decriminilizing pot, It is gonna make any of us safer from DWI drivers. I have been smoking pot for over 20 yrs and have not killed anybody with my car.
- Stevie D, Derry

Funny, I managed to make it all through childhood, teenage years, and college without ever once trying pot or any other drug. Not even cigarettes.

But I guess you NEED it, right? What happens when the addicts run out of money? NH's low crime rate vanishes?

Watch more pot-addicted little angels go out and rob convenience stores to support their habits?

Maybe, since they never learned "Drugs Are Bad", they'll try meth next?

Lovely.
- Gregory Carlson, Windham

If your worried about your children now, wait until meth really makes it's way up here from the midwest, you'll be begging for pot to be legal so we can tax it because every town will have to add 40 police officers. Talk to your kids about the dangers of pot while you force feed ritalin and adderoll down there throats, great parenting.
- chris g, manchester

Those who want to kill this bill don't understand why it is important. I know some of the smartest kids in my class smoke once in a while and this bill just protects the right to do so. It will also result in courts not being so tied up with pointless MJ cases. Why do you think the other 12 states passed bills similar to this. Amsterdam has legaized it and thier country hasn't become a mess. Why can't the same be true for small amounts of MJ in the states. Honestly, if kids want to buy drugs, they can easily do so. This bill will only help those who get caught doing it in a setting where they are not a danger to others. I say give it a year or two and if problems arise, disspose of the bill.
- C, Manchester

I see the pot legalizers and liberal-tarians are out in force today, mad as wet hens about Lynch. The gov is usually wrong, but this time, he's playing the conservative, a role that families of young teens will respect. It's too bad that the GOP has forgotten that they're the conservative party, not the party of liberal social values.
- Michael, Manchester

Just because "everybody" is smoking it, we should legalize it? What a dumb argument! Lots of people kill others in Boston - maybe they should make it legal, huh? Lots of sex offenders out there - should we legalize that too. Pot heads who can't deal with reality. Instead they hide behind an artifically induced euphoric state of mind. Idiotic!
- Brian, Farmington

Remember how legalizing civil unions was going to turn NH into a giant Provincetown? Didn't exactly happen like that, did it?

Now many of the same people are implying that this bill will cause us to become a population of pot-addicted zombies as shown in "Reefer Madness". All this bill will do is keep some kids from having their lives ruined over a harmless amount of a drug that should be legal anyway.

One thing that I do know, if this bill passes, I'm opening a Taco Bell.
- Jason, Londonderry

NH's own nanny, Gov. Lynch thinks he is ruler supreme. The direction of our state government needs be dictated by the PEOPLE of this state and not by Nanny Lynch. I hope our Senate votes for what the PEOPLE want.
Abstinance only programs don't work for our young. It's about time we all start getting real about what is proven dangerous and what is not.
- Lynn, Manchester

Parents need to look in their medicine cabinet and see what their kids are already probably taking. All of your anti-depressants, ADD meds, muscle relaxers - kids LOVE that stuff. It's a ton more accesible than a pot dealer and easier to conceal!! As Jason Bedrick pointed out there are 12 other states who have decriminalized marijuana. Gov. Lynch is a moron if he thinks vetoing the bill will somehow cutdown on use. Lynch should look at the court system and see what offenders are getting for sentences. I know two people who have been arrested for under a quarter in NH. They spent at most a couple hours in jail, had a suspended sentence and a $300 fine for a first offense. Yes it will be on their record for the rest of their life, and yes they have lost eligibility for federal education loans and grants... but looking at the economy now - how many people out there have a bachelor's degree and no job? Just how valuable is that college education? I know people who don't have a degree at all and bring home more $$ than I do. Let's look at the big picture here, folks. Decriminalizing pot is not going to end the world, make the state into one big pot cloud, or increase the amount of users. It's just going to make it a little safer for those that already take the risk.
- C, Manchester

Tia: You could have answered your own question with juuuust a bit of research, prior to posting.

I love it, yeah; all the Gov does is kick it in Concord eating donuts with his feet up on his desk. Sometimes he watches a little All My Children, but never, and I mean never, misses an episode of Oprah.

Paaalease, Gov John Lynch is a guy who doesn’t stop. He’s constantly working to better the state and the lives of the people living in it.
There will always be opponents and proponents to every single decision the man makes, that’s life. He was elected to make decisions based on what he feels is right, plain and simple.

If you think he’s wrong, he has a phone number, an email address, a fax machine….you know, all the things that I suppose you would expect in a Governors office. I somehow doubt, and I admit I could be wrong, yet I doubt that he makes his decisions based on the UL open forums…just guessing.


But lets try to keep some perspective here and read the bit again about how it says, “Gov. Lynch's spokesman Colin Manning said the bill” blahbaty blahbaty blah blah blah.

Colin Manning said those things, not the Gov. Thanks!
- Craig D, Manchester

Those against legalizing it are saying it relays a bad message to kids regarding drug use. There are plenty of adults out there smoking as well....it's time to make it legal.
- Rob, Manchester

Such hipocracy! I can go to the store, by carton after carton of cigarettes, slowly killing myself, spending thousands of dollars in health care, which in the end we all have to pay for, and that is OK. We spend millions on alcohol prevention and treatment and that is OK. I can list hundreds of prescription drugs that I can get that are addictive and destructive and that is OK. Hell, GAMBLING is more addictive and destructive and you don't need to put anything in your body to do it! I have smoked MJ for 12 years. I am a hard working, married professional who pays his taxes and bills, never once missed a day of work because of it, gotten into an accident, bar brawl or any other violent act. In fact, I have never been in trouble with the law in my life. I don't drink or smoke cigarettes. I don't even take any prescription drugs. I don't need to smoke MJ, I want to. It is my life and I have the track record to prove it has not been a downward spiral because of it. Who is the government to classify me as a criminal? To those that say it is a gateway, those that go down that path do so because of their personality, not because they smoke MJ. Get educated anti-MJ people. You don't have to do it. Who are you to tell me I can't?
- CP, Portsmouth

What difference does this all make? They are going to get pot or any other drug no matter if it is legal or not.
Make them all legal and if the crack heads OD, so be it. One less criminal on the street that I don't have to pay for their prison time.
- Kritsine, Salisbury

All I can say is that not everyone smokes pot (I survived high school and UNH without it, thank you) and that I will teach my children likewise, just as my parents taught me. Marajuana is not okay, just as underaged drinking and driving under the influence is not okay, either. Tough laws help make that message clear. Easing up on them does the opposite.
- L, Sandown

Bryan L, have you considered the implications of this rationale? You said "Why do you *NEED* to smoke marijuana? Is there a biological reason? Will you die without smoking it? No, of course not."

Following your reasoning, we could and should ban not only alcohol and tobacco, but candy, fatty foods, dangerous sports, video games, non-educational television, and anything else that can harm the consumer. Nobody NEEDS any of that stuff, or do they?

But this bill isn't about legalization -- Maine has treated marijuana possession (less than 1.25 ounces) as a civil violation since 1976, and their marijuana "problem" isn't one iota worse than New Hampshire's.
- Matt Simon, Pembroke, NH

Bryan, your argument makes no sense.

Do you *NEED* to go to NASCAR games? No? Let's ban 'em. Is there a medical reason you need to watch Law and Order on TV? No? Let's ban that, too. What's your *NEED* to go fishing every weekend? None? Let's ban it!
- Rich, Derry

What a racket this Governor has going. He does nothing for 4 years, except passing out flood dollars then chimes in to look like a white knight. What have you done besides increasing spending the last 4 years?
- Tia Weisman, NH

There really are too many people who have not even researched the MJ issue and are spouting off as if it is the big evil that the Feds make it out to be.

MJ has been used for centuries by many cultures as medicinal and as a social event. Until the Feds in 1933 decided that they could not tax or reap monies frmo it, they started a fear campaign to criminalize it by putting it in the same class as the narcotics. MJ is NOT addictive, it is NOT a narcotic, and it DOES NOT cause aggressive behavior.
MJ does help with many different health related issues. It does have a moderating affect on aggression. Mind altering...Not. Not even close.
One can find negatives and positives for every drug out there, especially the man made ones which typically cause more damage.
Make it legal, this will drive the hard core drug users out because most people will not need to deal with them to get relief.
Its my hope that someday this will be made legal.
- MR, Merrimack

"The bill sends absolutely the wrong message to New Hampshire's young people about the very real dangers of drug use".

You gotta be kidding me. What about the message my kids get when I drive by the NH Liquor Store signs or the big red state run liquor stores. What about the message my kids get when I try to teach them about teamwork and sportsmanship by watching sports on tv, and every other ad is for beer? What kind of message are our kids getting when every other commercial on prime time tv is for some drug? What kind of a message our are kids receiving about drinking and driving when they see the Coors, Budweiser, or Jack Daniels Nascar?
When the various levels of government want to get serious about getting the biggest drug dealers off of my tv, I'll start listening to their so called message. Until then, the only message I'm receiving is that our substance abuse policy is another worthless government program bought and paid for by the pharmaceutical and alcohol companies.
- Don, Portsmouth

Ask any addict what their first drug experience was and I guarantee they will say POT. I for one, certainly do not want my kid thinking that because its "just" a quarter ounce or its "just" pot, its OK to do it! Did any of you supporters even READ the articles this week about the prisons and the drug issues? Where the hell do you think it started?
- smc, claremont

Sorry TG your comments are not totally accurate. medical marijauna is prescribed in cigarette form and has been for awhile. In fact it is legal in California and yes prescribed. I also dispute your allegations that where it has been decriminalized has been a failure. Check your facts before you say things.To Bryan L. it is not about need. Then again no one NEEDS alcohol yet it is consumed and sold daily and it is not for "medicinal" use so how is that justified? Cigarettes are sold every day and have been shown to be a killer and it has no "medicinal" value either. At least pot does have some medicinal value which neither of those other two have.
I am still waiting to see all these statistics of highway deaths etc that are associated with pot. One poster listed all his friends that died from alcohol related accidents. I did not see that pot was a factor.
Boy the dark ages and ignorance on this subject are rampant.
- Bill B., Pelham

I' am glad the Governor going to veto this bill if it makes it to his desk. The State government has a second chance to write a better bill. I think NH should follow Maine's marijuana law. Any pot in one bag under 1.25 ounces is a civil violation.

And to all the people out there living under a rock. Prescription drugs are the new drug of choice for teens not pot. Kids think that since they are taking something a doctor prescribed to some one can't be bad and taking a pill doesn't make you smell like pot. Kids tend to do drugs because they are easier to get then alcohol. Prescription drugs lead to OC and then heroin.
- Jay C., Manchester NH

What is scary is the fact that drugs that are already legal and "regulated" get into the hands of children and those who think like children. There are many factors to consider when potentially decriminalizing marijuana, I'm not quite for or against it. I do agree with Mr. Lambiris, though. Bill Hicks also made the point that when one goes to a concert or a bar and sees a fight break out, are those individuals high on marijuana or have they been drinking too much of our legal brews? It's a precarious situation we've put ourselves in, do you trust Lynch and the gang to take care of it for us?
- nick, Exeter

To Matt Simon, Pembroke, NH:
I remember reading about two students in Nashua who "dared" each other to run for office. They didn't campaign and weren't serious candidates, yet they won thanks to the perfect storm (i.e. the Bush-bashing, anti-war movement) the Democrats rode to gain power in 2006.
I may be mistaken, but I believe one of these Reps is involved with this bill. I find it hard to believe that anyone who runs on a "dare" is serious about what it means to be a representative in our government. I'm with Joe V. on this one.
- Bryan L., Nashua, NH

Looks like I will be voting for whoever runs against Mr Lynch
- Mike, manchester

What is scary is the fact that drugs that are already legal and "regulated" get into the hands of children and those who think like children. There are many factors to consider when potentially decriminalizing marijuana, I'm not quite for or against it. I do agree with Mr. Lambiris, though. Bill Hicks also made the point that when one goes to a concert or a bar and sees a fight break out, are those individuals high on marijuana or have they been drinking too much of our legal brews? It's a precarious situation we've put ourselves in, do you trust Lynch and the gang to take care of it for us?
- nick, Exeter

Joe V., of course I disagree with your take on the issue... but I especially take exception to your assertion that Reps. Fontas and Edwards ran as a joke. Ask their colleagues -- they are two very serious legislators, and they ran for office because they wanted to give their generation a voice in what we all know is a greybeard legislature. Hats off to them for being a good example to young people everywhere: educated, articulate, civic-minded, and willing to work hard for what they believe in!
- Matt Simon, Pembroke, NH

it is to weep that this bill isn't going to pass the governor's ok. All of you that are against this are lost. Let's spend ~$28,000/year of the tax payers money to house someone busted for this crime in jail. Let's ruin their lives while we're at it.

it's time to decriminalize it.
- Pete, Rochester

On issues like this, I like to break it down to the absolute basics. For a moment, let's forget about the law and ask this question instead: Why do you *NEED* to smoke marijuana? Is there a biological reason? Will you die without smoking it? No, of course not.

Bottom line: It's a mind-altering drug and there is no non-medical *NEED* to smoke it. It's illegal, so don't possess or use it. I'm all for higher education and I like to think that part of being educated means you're smart enough learn you don't *NEED* marijuana. If you actually believe you need marijuana (again I'm not talking about medical reasons) then no amount of higher education will help you.

I have zero sympathy for people who lose their federal loans for college due because of getting arrested for marijuana. Again, aside from a possibly legitimate medical use, until you can prove to me why you *NEED* marijuana Gov Lynch is 100% correct to veto this should the bill cross his desk. I rarely agree with the Governor but I do applaud him on this decision.
- Bryan L., Nashua, NH

Treat it the same as Alcohol. Think of the millions of untapped revenue the State could tap into.

Legalize possession and transportation of under a ounce.

Require the purchase of a license if you want to grow under 12 plants, a higher cost license if you grow over 12 plants. If grown for commercial sale, the buyer must be NHSLC

Limit the commercial Sale of MJ to State Liquor stores.

Apply all revenue to Funding Education :>)

Ah well, just a pipe dream
- Bill, Troy

Pot is not the gateway drug, sugar is. Sugar leads to caffeine use. Caffeine use leads to cigarettes. Cigarettes lead to alcohol. Why expect people to stop there?
- DM, Manchester

The decriminalization of marijuana has been tried elsewhere and it has been miserable failure. The costs associated with it are astronomical. Enforcement along with education are the keys to changing attitudes about marijuana. Marijuana has become more potent over the years and is a gateway drug lowering inhibitions and impairing decision making. Marijuana users posting here claim that it has great potential as a drug. When was the last time a physician prescribed a drug that you needed to smoke to ingest. Medical marijuana has been available for years in tablet form called Marinal, however pro-legalization advocates claim that it isn't strong enough etc. Marinol can be prescribed with quality and dosage controls something that when smoking it can't possibly accomplish. Thank you, Gov. Lynch!
- TG, Goffstown

This is the reason the jails are over populated, people with driving offenses and possession of marijuana. It grows out of the ground and yet they make it illegal, but booze is man made and not illegal. Who do you trust more man or mother nature? And as far as it saying the wrong thing or making a bad example to the younger crowd is a crock all on it's own. If the police or the government cared about kids they would make alcohol illegal. Last time I checked there is more fatal car crashes due to alcohol than marijuana. I am yet to see a smashed up car parked in front of a school before prom that said don't smoke and drive. Legalize marijuana.... tax it.... and pay off the national debt. Makes sense to me? Live free or die????
- Edrick, Manchester, NH

Treat it the same as Alcohol. Think of the millions of untapped revenue the State could tap into.

Legalize possession and transportation of under a ounce.

Require the purchase of a license if you want to grow under 12 plants, a higher cost license if you grow over 12 plants. If grown for commercial sale, the buyer must be NHSLC

Limit the commercial Sale of MJ to State Liquor stores.

Apply all revenue to Funding Education :>)

Ah well, just a pipe dream
- Bill, Troy

You'll have to excuse me for not being sympathetic to those wishing to decriminalize marijuana use.

I've had a friend die will drinking and driving. I've had an acquaintance kill a mother and her daughter while drinking and driving. I've had a co-worker's father hit by a drunk driver, become paralyzed, and later commit suicide.

Speaking for them, we don't need more DUIs on the road. Keep the penalties and keep them harsh.

I do feel for those who would like to use marijuana for medical purposes and would support an exemption if doctors would be severely punished for improperly giving out prescriptions.
- Tom, Amherst

Reefer Madness...alive and well in NH...
- JB, New Boston, NH

This bill sends the right message in that if one does commit a "mistake" by the current law, the powers that be aren't too above themselves to forgive and forget. Furthermore, not everyone has the money and means to own boats and other pleasureable means to unwind. Some people experience pain after a long work week and cannot afford health insurance for physical therapy, nevermind the unnatural and unhealthy drugs that are prescribed.
- laurel, manchester

There will always be college students smoking MJ, decriminalize it or not. The penalties currently in place with regard to loan money and jail time are a little extreme. My question would be if similar penalties are in place with regard to possession of small amounts of alcohol, a known poison. My guess is that there aren't similar penalties, thereby encouraging alcohol as society's substance of choice, adding to the fatality count.
This bill wasn't sending the wrong message to kids, just trying to keep more of them in school. Maybe parents can take a hand in guiding their kids away from drugs/alcohol, instead of hoping the system would "impose fear" and take care of things for them.
- Erick, Manchester, NH

Finally! Someone agrees with the teenagers out there who are being faced with harsh consequences. Being able to hold weed on you to that quanity, is a bit much,however. Marijuana is general should not be illegal. Studies show it is 4 times healthier for you then a cigarette. Marijuana has much of the same side effects as alcohol but yet that is legal. Unfair.
- Christin Bonnett, Concord NH

Why are the people against pot not doing anything to make alcohol illegal? Is alcohol something that an adult should be able to use responsibly? Why is this "adult" choice OK but not the other?
Do you want to have your freedom as an adult but tell another adult what not to do?

I hate to break this to you, but the state of NH is a major drug trafficker by selling alcohol.

Can anyone give a documented example
of an innocent person being killed at the hands of someone who was on pot?
- Zizzy, Manchester

Simply amazing; where was the voice of our young Reps. when the discussion about medical marijuana was taking place?
There are many chronic pain sufferers, Cancer patients and those with Glaucoma who might benefit greatly by making marijuana readily available to them in hopes of improving quality of life, yet I have not yet heard the voice of the young Legislator from Windham on the subject.
Make marijuana possession just a cash fine so that the parents of dumb teenagers do not lose their access to Federal aid but not decriminalize it for the people who might be able to restore some quality back in their lives is criminal in and of itself; amazing.
Parents need to talk to their kids before it's too late. Parents need to tell their kids that without Federal aid/student loans there will be NO college, and parents need to talk to their kids about the dangers of drugs period before it IS too late.
I applaud the Governor for taking a stand, it is in the best interest of the State of New Hampshire. Then our young Legislators can sit down and work on a bill to make Marijuana available to the many who suffer greatly each day instead of the few who want us all to help pay for their college education while they kick back and party.
- Mackenzie K., Meredith, NH

"The bill sends absolutely the wrong message to New Hampshire's young people about the very real dangers of drug use".
What a stupidly hypocritical statement! How much blood money does the state receive from the sales of alcohol, tobacco, and lottery tickets? How many people die every year from fatalities directly caused by the first two, and gamblers support groups are created by the the third? Too many. We need to rethink what kind of message we are really sending to our kids- which is "do as I say and not as I do".
And how is it that it is any of the government's business what happens in the bedroom, and what does that have to do with decriminalizing mj? Last time I checked this was America, not Saudi Arabia where people het beheaded for being gay.
- Joe T., Derry, NH

I think, from an ex-students prospective, the possibility of getting caught (arrested) is a perfect case of punishment being worse then the crime, and in itself cause for repeal of this law. (Yes I am in favor of having age restrictions, and similar laws to booze)
Not only will your university kick you out of housing without thinking twice, having a pot arrest will cut your ties with the federal government in the forms of student loans, now what is worse... Someone gets high after (or before if they can handle it) class a few days a week, and goes about their normal lives, or the fact that because they like to get high, they are no longer able to take out government subsidized loans. I thought we were here to educate, not hold down, bar and eradicate.. robbing someone of the ability to gain a higher education by withholding loan abilities seems like a pretty harsh punishment for a little plant and a non-violent crime. Maybe if I physically assaulted someone I should loose the aid to help myself become better positioned in society, clearly then I can't handle things in the adult world (stress perhaps?)but because I toke a joint? Come on.
I could go on for hours about the degenerates created from our own STATE LIQUOR stores and lottery systems..(not even touching the fact that alcohol is a proven killer, while not ONCE has someone died from too much weed)

And let's not get started on, if we legalize that, we'll have to legalize crack, PCP, LSD, extacy and all the latter... they are all socially, personally, and communally destructive substances, that many, many, many people become both mentally and physically addicted to and sick from, and cause harm to others over... in fact why don't we look at oxycontin and it's effects to see the difference between substances that are physically addictive and destructive yet we still alow to flow freely out of drug companies warehouses on onto our streets via web-order forms.


~Tom - UNH could have been class of 2006~
- Tom, Bow

For those posters who applaud this governor, answer this question. Why is it easier for our children to obtain MJ than it is to obtain alcohol? If you feel so strongly about MJ why do you look the other way on the evils of alcohol or tobacco? Maybe we should ban fatty foods as well? I guess the governor wants to make sure the new jail in Grafton County at the tune of $35 million is well stocked to justify the costs. Makes a whole lot of sense from his position...
- Kyle, Bedford

About time for sensible Marijuana laws. Make sure everyone out here writes a well thought out letter to both your Senate representative and Governor Lynch.

I think it is harsh and unjust to think that a year in jail and 2k$ fine could even be considered for something such as possesion of a joint or a quarter ounce (Shocking!). In my book $200 is still too extreme but I guess we need to start somewhere. Never mind the criminal record to go with it, denied student loans and the inability to get a decent job.
- Dave, Bow

First off, most people in this post have no clue. Putting Marijuana in the same category as narcotics and other hard drugs is outrageous and ignorant. We are not talking about Cocaine, Meth, or Heroin here. How does the Federal Government or any state Government have the right to tell me what I can grow, smoke, or ingest on my property, on my dime and on my time. Meanwhile the Government is holding hands with the Pharmaceutical Industry, lining their pockets at our expense. Have we not learned anything from history? It will happen eventually so why not get a grip on the situation. Marijuana laws are outdated and thanks to Regan our jail system is overcrowded due to these antiquated laws. If he runs again, Lynch will definitely not get my vote.
- kev, derry

Sometimes "stupidity" must come with a cost. A teenager with plans to attend College knows that a drug conviction prohibits the use of Federal aid to offset the cost of college tuition.
It is a conscious decision to smoke pot and the kids today know the risks and consequences. Making possession a fine only offense sends the wrong message to the teenagers of New Hampshire.
The whole idea of going on to college is an advanced education in hopes of landing that higher paying job after graduation.
It simply makes no sense for parents to get help paying for this type of education while we as a State allow our kids to continue being stupid.
- Brendan, Loudon, NH

Ok say they make mj legal how do you prevent people from gettting high and driving? you dont. guess what you crash your car and they drug test you even if you smoked it 2 days ago and are no longer high you can be charged with driving high. HELLO? is everyone insane in this state do you really want kids to think its ok to smoke mj? because now there is no punishment for having a joint? wow way to go! not only kids but adults as well lets smoke a joint today and friday lets try some pcp and sat lets do a line. when pots not enough thats where these kids and adults are going right to the harder drugs. want those to be legal too? why dont you just shoot your kid when they turn 13 and end their life right there because thats whats gonna happen! nice job!
- Rose, manchester

I won't be voting for you Lynch or my senator if this bill does not pass. We are talking about decriminalizing, NOT legalizing marijuana.
- Diane, NH

I hope all these pot supporters dont all have children that will see that they think it is ok to do illegal drugs. Pot leads to other hard drugs and thats why this world is so full of mental issues..... I think its sad that people think its ok to do drugs, it shows kids the wrong influence they need while growing into an adult.
- Ann, Manchester

Mike in Allenstown says:

"Get caught in possession of marijauna just once and it will be on your record for life. If you apply for a decent job they will do a thorough background check and find it."

There's a simple way to avoid that. Just don't ever use illegal drugs! That's not so hard, is it?

Can't do the time, don't do the crime. And I wouldn't ever hire anyone who had done illegal drugs! They're likely to do it again, and possibly embezzle money for their habit.
- Josh DuPont, Manchester

I would like to thank the Senate President and Gov. Lynch for restoring my faith in government irrelevance. This bill represented the first common sense piece of legislation in a long time and it's headed for a quick death. It was nice while it lasted.

I will never understand people who justify putting kids away for smoking a joint, ruining their lives and turning them into criminals. Maybe they will end up working at our beloved highway liquor stores, which are much more moral.
- Jason, Londonderry

No one actually gets the max fine or jail time for this level of marijuana possession anyway... UNLESS THEY DESERVE IT. Giving law enforcement that leverage allows for greater control to make sure habitual offenders are punished. Thank you Governor Lynch for standing up on this issue...
- John F., Manchester, NH

Many of you are making valid points. But , let us look at the BIG picture. Lynch signed the biggest increase in spending this state has seen in recent memory on bogus numbers and tax increases, then the numbers come up short, he "cuts" spending. He has painted himself a "budget cutter" just in time for the election.
Now, with this veto, he can paint himself as a thinker, not as a governer that cows to his party controlled legislature. He's trying to solidify his base for the election. The last thing any liberal would want to do is LISTEN to the people.

This is about retaining power, nothing else.
- Mark, Candia

The State should legalize it and tax it. That's one way to keep it in control and run a balanced budget. ;)
- Lizzy, Manchester

Get caught in possession of marijauna just once and it will be on your record for life. If you apply for a decent job they will do a thorough background check and find it.

Even the state police don’t require that you never have used marijuana to join their ranks. These are the people so opposed to this bill. The New Hampshire State Police only require that you not have used marijuana within the past year before applying to join their force, wear a badge, and carry a gun. Of course if you were caught and arrested for possessing you would have a criminal record and be ineligible to be a police officer. The lesson: as long as you are a really good criminal and don’t get caught you can still be a police officer in New Hampshire.
- Mike, Allenstown

All of those who wrote to decry the dangers and evils of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are correct, however, because all of those are terrible and have a negative effect on the population it is a good idea to add one more?? I really don't grasp that logic. It makes more sense to "Hold the devil off at the gate" and while doing that work on combating the evils of each of the others, one at a time.
- Paul, Derry

The only reason he is vetoing it is because a republican introduced the bill. Our do nothing gov at it again. Time to throw the bums out in Nov.
- Mark, Bow NH

It's funny how people who did the same thing in college now try to bring the hammer down on those who came after.

Why ruin someone's college potential for a little weed? All the posts here praising those against this law live under a rock. I hope one of your children gets caught with a joint and you end up having to pay for college entirely out of your pockets instead of with finanical aid.
- Bob, Sanborn

Though I don't agree with it, I understand taking away jail time for marijuana possession. Buy why decrease the fine? That only encourages drug use. Keep or raise the fine, and remove the jail time. That sends the same message and relieves the burden on the state of prisoners in the jail system.
- Matt, Dover

garbage. And here I was thinking that our gov't and state would finally make some sense. Unfortunately everybody is still too afraid of the devil weed. Look out for reefer madness!!! You might get run over or go insane!!!?!!
- josh, manchester

WHO here actually feels that the government, wheather it be federal or state, actually listens and will do the asking or bidding of the MAJORITY of it's citizens? Think of the money that the state will lose from their road side booze stands if small amounts are 'legalized'
- Bob L., Deerfield,NH

Lynch will veto this yet has made no such threat against the civil liberty crushing texting law which will just give the cowards in blue another reason to pull you over?

He is losing my vote for the next time around real fast.
- Jeremy, Tamworth

Are you kidding me?? Being a former 20 yr smoker,this should be the last of Gov.Lynch's concerns,how about my 7000+ yearly taxes,$$ for education,jobs,overcrowded prisons etc....Live Free or Die is becoming a quick thing of the past in NH-Thanks,By the way what time do I need to be in bed tonite??
- Carter Crumley, Derry NH

Gov. Lynch is worried about, say it all together now, "the children". A man of courage jumping out in front of this issue. Is this the same guy that gave us a 17.5% increase in state spending in June only to say we needed to cut the budget by at least $50 million in December. And what about Gov Lynch's opposition to parental notification for 13 year old who is getting a major surgical proceedure, an aborition? I guess those 13, 14 and 15 year olds are not "the children" Gov. Lynch is talking about this time.

A man of inconsistancy. He needs to go.
- tom, bow

I totally support the Governor on the rejection of such a law that would bring us into a downward inevitable failure of state laws. This is EXACTLY how the road to addiction starts, wether its your first drink, or your first toke. I recommend those who need drugs to grow a spine and face the everyday challenges of life, just like the rest of us have to.
- Joe, Manchester

The pot laws are a joke! The rainforest would still be there if we harvested pot instead of cutting down Mother Nature's work of art. Hemp produces 4 times the amount of pulp as a tree, and grows much faster. In other words, 4 acres of rainforest equals 1 acre of mj. How many times do we see in headlines "Driver Smokes Joint and Crashes vehicle"? NEVER!!!!!
- s.k., nashua

Tony, Get real - this is no more about personal freedoms than laws against DWI are against personal freedoms. I'll bet you'd change your tune if some pothead killed a member of your family while flying high.
- Brian, Farmington

Its sad that the pople of NH fail to see the harm the drug laws are having on our people and country. First Lynch cannot maintain our fiscal situation in NH, now he's going ot veto a bill that shows compassion. He's not much of a democrat or a person.
- John, Hillsboro. NH

Marijuana is not going away, but this governor should.
- LARRY, MANCHESTER

We need to veto the career of everyone who voted against this. We will need to veto a second term for the governor if he fails to sign it. It might even be worth recalling the governor and state senators who fail to follow the state Constitution and make penalties proportional.

I know I will work hard and spend my own hard earned money to remove the reps that voted against this incredibly tiny step in the direction of sanity.
- Ron Helwig, Deerfield

FINALLY someone with common sense takes action.

Thank you Gov. Lynch!!
- Paul, Rochester

This bill would cost the state less money in the long run housing people in Prison. It would put less of a burden on homeowner's when the state start's taxing pot and it's much less dangerous than alcohol. A mellow person high on pot is much less dangerous than a mean drunk.
- Dot, Nashua

It is interesting that governor Lynch cites the effect on children to threaten a veto to reduce the criminal punishment regarding marijuana involving adults. The same governor ignored the threats to children regarding the civil unions bill that legalized and mandated homosexual sodomy which included anal intercourse for male homosexuals which he celebrated last year when he signed the civil unions bill that excluded extended familes as eligible for such protections. According to the CDC, more people have died from AIDS relating to male to male sodomy than marijuana has every been alleged to have caused harm. Can you say the words "political correctness" or "hypocrite"?
- Jack Fredyma, Dover

Actually, Joe V. I think that's pretty witty, and quite accurate.

Why is this scary? You want scary - consider the statement I heard from a legislator a few years back that the Liquor commission needed to be 'encouraged' (he meant 'pressured') to sell more booze. I don't advocate recreational use of marijuana. On the other hand, I fail to see where anyone should be stigmatized for such a minor crime as is addressed in this bill.

Contrary to what others may say, college is quite expensive. Financial aid is hard to come by. To penalize some kid caught with a few joints with a lifetime of denial of financial aid is an injustice, and probably will do more damage to that kid than the marijuana would.

So yeah ... tongue in cheek though the comment was, I can see it has legitimate application too. A legislator with common sense and a sense of humor. Nice! :)
- tom, candia

One step forward, two steps back; typical government.

Put down that joint you dirty drug user, instead pick up a cold Budweiser! Don't smoke that joint hippie, try a Marlboro instead! Don't trust nature, trust our laboratory chemists! Get a prescription for anti-depressants (caution: side-effects may cause depression).

If you need to keep a plant illegal, I suggest poison ivy. It's caused way more pain and suffering than marijuana ever has.

"It's not a war on drugs, it's a war on personal freedoms. Please try to keep that in mind at all times, thank you." -- Bill Hicks
- Tony Lambiris, Manchester, NH

Thank goodness. I was shocked that such a bill passed with as many votes as it did. It's scary. I was also disgusted by the comments made by the bill's sponsor (one of those 'kids' from Nashua who only ran in the election as a joke) on WMUR last night. He said to the effect that if you "support higher education, you'll support this bill". Unbelieveable.
- Joe V., Nashua