Nine of the fifteen North Country representatives voting on Wednesday were in favor of Senate Bill 409 which would legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Six representatives voted against the action and one was excused from voting.
Sponsors of the effort included Sen. John Gallus of Berlin as well as Representative Evalyn Merrick, a Democrat from Lancaster.
The bill already passed the Senate and now goes to Gov. Lynch.
The Concord Monitor is reporting that Lynch promised to veto the legislation citing concerns over "lack of adequate controls on the distribution of marijuana, and the potential for proliferation."
Lynch vetoed a similar bill in 2009.
The bill passed the house 236 – 96.
North Country reps who voted in favor of the bill were:
* Gary Coulombe (Democrat) of Berlin
* Edmond Gionet (Republican) of Lincoln.
* William Hatch (Democrat) of Gorham
* Evalyn Merrick (Democrat) of Lancaster
* Gregory Sorg (Republican) of Easton.
* Kathleen Taylor (Democrat) of Franconia
* Yvonne Thomas (Democrat) of Berlin
* Marc Tremblay (Republican) of Berlin
* Robert Theberge (Democrat) of Berlin
North Country reps who voted against the bill were:
* Lyle Bulis (Republican) of Littleton
* Duffy Daugherty (Republican) of Colebrook.
* Larry Rappaport (Republican) of Colebrook.
* William Remick (Republican) of Lancaster
* Herb Richardson (Republican) of Lancaster
* John Tholl (Republican) of Whitefield
Stephanie Eaton (Republican) of Littleton was excused from voting.
To see how legislators voted on other issues go here.
