Federally Approved Medical Marijuana Confronts NH Government

Marijuana Policy Project Legislative Analyst Matt Simon and NH Common Sense Executive Director Kirk McNeil write:

You may have heard mention of a little-known federal medical marijuana program called the Compassionate Investigative New Drug (IND) Program. The program was closed to new applicants in 1992, but four patients have continued to receive shipments of medical marijuana from the federal government since that time.

The most outspoken of these four patients is a successful stockbroker, Irvin Rosenfeld. Rosenfeld will be visiting Concord Tuesday (5/8) for a 9:30 a.m. press conference and meetings with elected officials.

Rosenfeld, 59, has suffered since age 10 from a rare bone disorder known as Multiple Congenital Cartilaginous Exostosis. He recently published a book called My Medicine: How I Convinced the U.S. Government to Provide my Marijuana and Helped Launch a National Movement.

For nearly 30 years and counting, he has received approximately nine ounces per month of marijuana from the U.S. government.

Patients and supporters of SB 409 are welcome to attend and observe the press conference.

Herewith, that press conference, 5/8/2012. One mainstream media outlet eventually showed up, after formal festivities wrapped up. Better late than never, I suppose. (The legislative history to date of SB409, this year's NH medicinal marijuana bill, can be found here.)