NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE BILL WOULD 
    LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

According to the bill, "modern medical research has discovered beneficial uses for marijuana in treating or alleviating the pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with a variety of debilitating medical conditions, as found by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine in March 1999."

The "cardholder," or patient, must be allotted a valid identification card in order to obtain the marijuana.  To gain authorization for registry, he or she must be diagnosed with an incapacitating medical condition.

These conditions include a "chronic or terminal illness, severe pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures for more than three months, severe nausea, severe vomiting, seizures, or severe, persistent muscle spasms," according to the bill.

Timothy Horrigan, a New Hampshire Rep., voted in favor of the legislation.

"There are many people, especially those undergoing chemotherapy, who need the drug to combat symptoms such as nausea and lack of appetite," he said.  "HB 648 is also very restrictive.  It seems to have been designed to allow limited personal use while discouraging the development of a commercial market."

Each qualified patient is given a "designated caregiver" to assist them in using the medical marijuana.  The caregiver must be 21 years of age or older, a member of the patient’s family, household or a licensed health care professional.  This person is only permitted to assist one patient and can only do so if they haven’t been convicted of a felony.

Ann-Marie Matteucci, a UNH Health Services alcohol, tobacco and drug counselor, believes that legalizing marijuana for medicinal use could be advantageous, but she has mixed feelings about the bill.

"I do believe people who are very, very sick do find relief from some symptoms, and when they are terminal, I guess any side effects or long term effects are not really of any concern," said Matteucci.  "That would be a concern that people whose symptoms are not as serious will get it, use it, share it."

As stated in the bill, the Department of Health and Human Services will take many precautions in reducing the fraudulent use of medical marijuana.

The department will obtain a confidential list of every single cardholder, and will also confirm with authorities that each patient’s registration card is valid.  Any person who uses a false representation of an identification card is punishable to a $500 fine or arrest, depending on the circumstances.

Despite the specific statements in the bill concerning medicinal use only, some may view HB 648 as a way to cross the threshold for completely legalizing marijuana.

"It’s definitely a step in the right direction towards relaxing the strict laws in place towards marijuana in New Hampshire," said senior Andrew Switzer.  "The next step could be the decriminalization, which was recently passed in Massachusetts."

Since UNH is such a liberal campus, this latest progress could only strengthen the movement towards the eventual legalization of marijuana, Switzer said.

Like many other available prescription drugs, such as adderall and painkillers, the bill could increase the misuse of marijuana.

"If I understand the bill correctly, it will only allow for people with the specific diagnosis and also for people who are considered caretakers," said Mattuecci.  "I imagine that will open up some room for misuse, as we see with many prescription drugs."

Some students may think that this bill could make marijuana easier to obtain for recreational purposes, but UNH administers serious consequences for those that are caught doing so.

"The university is in a difficult position because they can lose a lot of federal aid if they tolerate marijuana use, even legal use," said Horrigan.  "Students can be denied their financial aid if they are caught using drugs.  Otherwise, the main effect is simply the fact that some community members have conditions which could benefit from medical marijuana."

UNH senior Christy Pallis is in favor of the bill only because it will be used for medicinal purposes.  She said she believes people who are truly suffering from a medical condition should use every available resource to alleviate their pain.

Although the bill could be favorable for those suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses, Pallis is worried this bill could have more negative than positive effects.