Democratic Gov. John Lynch has threatened to veto the legislation, which would allow patients with a written certification from their doctor to cultivate up to six ounces of marijuana.

 

I’ve never used marijuana in my life,” Republican state Sen. Jim Forsythe, the bill’s sponsor, explained in a statement. “But as a matter of principle, I don’t believe it’s appropriate for government to interfere with choices that should be made between a doctor and a patient.”

“The promise to veto medical marijuana by Gov. Lynch shows a disappointing lack of compassion for patients battling illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, and AIDS,” he added.

 

The bill will return to the state Senate for a concurrence vote before heading to the governor’s desk.

Only patients with serious chronic or terminal diseases, such as cancer, AIDS and Parkinson’s, would be eligible to possess marijuana.