New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has vetoed a medical marijuana bill that had strong bi-partisan support in the state legislature.

“I cannot support establishing a system for the use of medical marijuana that poses risks to the patient, lacks adequate oversight and funding, and risks the proliferation of a serious drug,” the Governor said.

Most of us can get behind oversight and funding, but we need to draw the line at this “serious drug” garbage. There are actual serious drugs out there that are killing people, including many teenagers. To call marijuana a “serious drug” dilutes the message of just how dangerous things like heroin and cocaine are.

“We applaud the New Hampshire legislature for trying to meet the health care needs of thousands of its citizens,” said Steph Sherer, Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access, the country’s largest medical marijuana advocacy organization. “Unfortunately, a departing governor with an axe to grind is getting in the way of this important and popularly supported legislation. We’re now calling on the legislature to rise to the occasion, and override the governor’s veto.”

While a veto override is unlikely at this point, those who support medical cannabis in New Hampshire should let their representatives know how they feel. Activism is never wasted.

- Joe Klare