[420 Girl]

After stringing its advocates along, Gov. John Lynch vetoed the bill that would legalize the use of medical marijuana.

The legislation was modified to mollify some of the concerns expressed by the Democratic governor. The House version allowed medical marijuana patients to grow their own weed, but after some concerns from the governor's office were made known, the Senate changed the legislation to create so-called "compassion centers" for distribution of the weed to patients with a doctor's prescription.

It was that version that was accepted by both the House and Senate and sent on to the governor. But in the end, he remained skeptical and ultimately he listened more to law enforcement agencies than he did to the elected representatives.

"Law enforcement officials have raised legitimate public safety concerns regarding the cultivation and distribution of marijuana," Lynch said in his veto message.

"These concerns have not been adequately addressed in this bill. Marijuana is an addictive drug that has the potential to pose significant health dangers to its users, and it remains the most widely abused illegal drug in this State."

He also noted that "marijuana use for any purpose remains illegal under federal law."

What he failed to note, however, is that the administration of President Barack Obama has ordered federal agencies to stop raiding medical marijuana distribution centers in states that have legalized it.

The Sphinx-like demeanor of the governor, never really knowing how he truly feels about an issue, has been a hallmark of his during the legislation session.

Advocates that fought for the legislation will now have to fight even a little harder to help any hope for an override of the governor's veto.

The N.H. Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy said, "His veto is a tremendous disappointment, but the legislature can still vote to override the Governor's veto, and we only need to convince a few more legislators in order to receive the 2/3 majority that would be necessary for a veto override. The vote is not expected to take place until September, so we will have plenty of time to regroup and make a fresh pitch to legislators."

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