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The day began with medical marijuana. At least 100 people were in attendance. It went on for at least 3 hours, and Senator Kathleen Sgambati ran a good hearing.
The opposition to medical marijuana came from law enforcement, the state AG's office, and an angry guy named Steve Steiner. Assistant AG, Karin Eckels gave testimony that should have the state AG's office (and John Lynch for reappointing Kelly Ayotte) hanging their heads in shame. I was embarrassed for her. Her basic argument is that marijuana is illegal. When she ran out of ways to say that, she informed the committee that the 6 plants a patient would be allowed in the bill would produce between 6 -30 lbs. of marijuana. Outright snickering broke out in the gallery. She also said that she "thinks" the THC content varies in different plants. She seemed sure that there were over 400 chemical present in a joint. When asked how much money the state gets to fight marijuana use, she said she wasn't in a position to answer that. Counselor Eckels also announced that this was a stealth drug legalization bill, that anecdotal evidence is not science, that she is not a scientist (we could tell) and she wondered who will ensure that people do not over medicate?
After this astonishing testimony, Representative Robertson from Keene devoted some time to debunking her testimony, notably the overdose myth. "It upsets me that the Attorney General would send someone who doesn't understand that."
Rep. Steve Vallaincourt said, "I am surprised that the Attorney General would send someone to deliberately mislead you. One plant might yield 4 ounces - not 6 lbs." The Chair quipped, "Miracle Gro?" Everyone in the room burst out laughing.
There was also a great deal of heart wrenching testimony from folks who have chronic and terminal illnesses. Not a single doctor was there in opposition, despite the continued droning of "it is an illegal drug, not a medicine" from the law enforcement crowd.
The committee seemed open to the testimony. Senator Gallus (committee member) is also a sponsor of the bill. I think Representative Jacqui Calli-Pitts summed it up for all of us, "If I had someone in my family who was suffering, I would do anything to help them."
I predict the committee will recommend that 648 ought to pass.
I will also (immodestly) add that my testimony made people cry.
After a short but lovely lunch with Rep. Susi Nord, Rep. Maureen Mann, and her husband Bob it was time for the death penalty.
This was an exceptionally well run hearing. Senator Deb Reynolds was kind and empathetic, and treated everyone with respect, regardless of their stance on the issue - while moving the repetitious right along. She was terrific.
Kelly Ayotte was surrounded by cops and members of the Briggs family. The primary concern of the law enforcement community seems to be that if the death penalty is repealed, they won't get to kill Michael Addison. The opposition to the bill came from Ayotte, a number of cops (mostly from Manchester), and Michael Brigg's mother.
Lieutenant Nick Willard of Manchester found this repeal a personal affront. He was clearly offended that anyone dared to disagree with him, and stated that this bill had not been thought out. His anger, and animus were truly remarkable. This guy came across as a loose cannon.
The message from Ayotte and law enforcement - we need this as a deterrent. A former police officer later pointed out that the deterrent wasn't working, since 6 police officers have been killed in the last decade.
It was hard not to want to cry right along with Officer Michael Brigg's mother. It was hard not to cry along with Bess Claussen Landis, who told the story of her mother being beaten, raped, and murdered while she was at school. It was hard not to cry along with Rep. Renny Cushing who told the story of his father's murder.
Arnie Alpert of the American Friend's Service Committee made some interesting points in his testimony, wondering if the "execution team" would be state employees, subject to collective bargaining? Will we be hiring executioners?
I fell in love with Retired Police Chief Raymond Dodge, who wanted to know why his life as a cop was worth more than his wife's life would have been, and pointed out all the work she did raising kids while he was off chasing bad guys.
The most gripping testimony of the afternoon came from Curtis McCarty, who spent 21 years in prison for murder, 16 of them on death row. He was exonerated in 2007 by DNA evidence. The room was completely silent as Curtis spoke - and he spoke with great respect for law enforcement, and a remarkable lack of bitterness. He also pointed out how painful this was for the family of the victim. They spent 21 years hating him and wishing him dead, only to find out that they'd hated the wrong guy. So much for the healing and closure the death penalty is supposed to provide.
I predict the Senate is going to run from this as fast as their cowardly little legs will carry them.
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