The persistent push to legalize medical marijuana distribution in New Hampshire has flown mostly under the radar this session, as budget matters and issues like fighting federal health care reform have made most of the headlines. But the initiative has momentum, and today brings a vote that could hold the key to its fate.
Is the medical marijuana debate about health or law and order?
How lawmakers — and, more importantly, Gov. John Lynch — answer that question could determine the fate of the latest legislative attempt to legalize medical marijuana in New Hampshire.
The proposal passed its first hurdle last month when the House approved House Bill 442 by a veto-proof majority. The question in this legislative session, as in 2009, is whether the measure will have enough support to override another potential veto by Lynch.
We continue our today with our snapshot tour of some of the more the 250 bills and amendments that lawmakers will consider over a scheduled three days beginning tomorrow.
In this installment, we look at five bills that are part of the so-called Regular Calendar for the House this week — meaning they are subject to floor debate and roll call votes where every lawmaker’s vote is recorded. These are measures we’ve covered this session, encompassing issues including medical marijuana, abortion, the Financial Resources Mortgage scandal, and taxes.
How much will social issues matter at the State House this year? New Hampshire’s budget is clearly at the top of the agenda, if this fall’s campaign promises bear fruit. But the bills filed so far indicate that social matters are on the table, too.
Will the gay marriage law of 2009 be repealed? Will medical marijuana get a closer look? Will parental notification for teenage abortions be restored?
These are a few policy questions that lawmakers will consider when the 2011 legislative session opens Jan. 5. In our latest installment of previewing proposed bills, we look at three hot-button bills that will likely garner headlines — including here at Front Door Politics — in the next few months.
In October 2009, the New Hampshire Senate failed by two votes to override Gov. John. John Lynch’s veto of a bill that would have legalized medical marijuana use. The bill’s prime sponsor, Democratic Rep. Evalyn Merrick of Lancaster was disappointed but said she would file the bill again for the 2011 legislative session. Merrick, who [...]
Next week marks the midway point in the 2009 legislative session, and only bills that are still afloat by Friday will have a chance at becoming law. And there have been some surprises …