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Operation Veto-Override Fails!

HB 648 could have become law despite Governor Lynch's veto if both the House and Senate would have voted to support the bill by at least a 2/3 majority in a vote scheduled for Oct. 28, 2009.  The House voted to support the override in a 240-115 (68%) vote, but unfortunately, the 14-10 margin in the Senate was not sufficient to override the veto.  This was a heartbreaking result for the dozens of patients who were actively involved in the effort to pass HB 648.

Fortunately, all 424 state legislators plus Governor Lynch mus face voters in 2010, and the medical marijuana bill will be reintroduced in January, 2011.  Check back in the summer of 2010 to find out where candidates for office stand on medical marijuana!

Step One -- Identify your legislators and find out how they voted

First, click here to find out who your legislators are. 

Next, click here to see how your senator voted and click here to see how your representative(s) voted.  These are the roll call votes from the bill's final vote Oct. 28

Step Two -- Write a follow-up email or letter to your senator and representatives

If your representatives voted correctly, they deserve some positive reinforcement.  Write them a brief email or letter thanking them for their votes.

If your representatives voted incorrectly, politely express your disappointment.

Basic Rules of Letter-Writing

Please remember to be polite. Legislators do not respond well to antagonistic, sarcastic, or belittling communications.

Make the letter as personal as possible. If you or someone you know suffers from an illness and could benefit from medical marijuana, please mention that.

Say only what you know is factually true. Science, math, and reason are on our side; there's no need to make false claims or exaggerations. If you are unsure, it's better to stop and ask for help.

Keep the letter focused and on message. To help, we have provided some talking points you can use. Please do not simply copy all of them.  For maximum impact, put the letter in your own words.

If you would like additional help with your letter, please e-mail Matt@NHCompassion.org

Talking Points:

  • Currently, many seriously ill Granite Staters are forced to make a terrible decision: continue to suffer or obtain marijuana illegally and risk arrest and prison.
  • This is not a partisan issue; it is a compassion issue. Indeed, there was broad bipartisan support for it in the House.
  • The medical marijuana bill is strongly supported by Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike. The House easily passed the bill with the support of 57 Republican representatives.
  • A 2008 Mason-Dixon poll showed that 71% of New Hampshire voters support allowing seriously and terminally ill patients to use and grow medical marijuana for personal use if their doctors recommend it.  Only 21% were opposed.
  • Thirteen states, including Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island, already officially recognize the benefits of marijuana as medicine and have chosen not to waste energy and resources going after seriously ill people. It's time for our state to join their ranks.
  • Medical marijuana is effective at alleviating the pain associated with various debilitating conditions. These include cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, muscle spasms, and others. Despite misguided claims to the contrary, marijuana clearly does have therapeutic value.
  • We should stop wasting time and resources on going after sick people and focus on real crime.
  • The American Public Health Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Academy of HIV Medicine, the Leukemia Foundation of America, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as well as several state medical societies, support allowing the medical use of marijuana.
  • Marijuana is far less addictive than many prescription narcotics, and many long-term users of painkillers will tell you that the addictive potential of these medications is a very real problem. Marijuana is a safe and effective alternative for many patients who are unable to find success with other pain relievers.
  • Being able to use medical marijuana allows many patients to lead normal lives by reducing their pain, which allows them to work and be productive members of society.
  • Your constituents support HB 648 no matter to which political party they belong. According to a 2008 Mason-Dixon poll, 87% of Democrats, 56% of Republicans, and 72% of Independents in New Hampshire support allowing sick and dying patients to use and grow medical  marijuana.
  • What do we have to gain by denying those who could benefit from the use of medical marijuana the opportunity to do so.