June 25, 2009

News in brief

Names and happenings
The battle over legalizing medicinal marijuana is continuing this week. The legislature gave its approval last week to an amended bill that would let terminally and seriously ill patients use medicinal marijuana. The measure now sits on Gov. John Lynch’s desk, according to a state press release. The original bill would have let patients grow marijuana at their homes, but the amended version requires patients go to a “compassion center,” a nonprofit organization requiring state certification, the release said. The bill allows for up to five compassion centers after five years. Reports earlier this year indicated a Mason-Dixon Poll found 71 percent of New Hampshire residents supported medicinal marijuana reform.

Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012 in balance
State budget passes, with ups and downs
By Jeff Mucciarone jmucciarone@hippopress.com

Faced with a mounting $500 million deficit for the biennium that started this week, state budget writers had a stiff challenge before them this year.

No money for culture
State budget decimates Dept. of Cultural Resources
By Jeff Mucciarone jmucciarone@hippopress.com

In the state’s recently approved $11.5 billion budget, the Department of Cultural Resources will be hit hard.

Pitch a tent, pay a tax
State legislature extends rooms & meals tax to campgrounds
By Jeff Mucciarone jmucciarone@hippopress.com

The news coming out of state budget discussions last week wasn’t good for campers and campground owners in New Hampshire.

Manchester medics cooperating, not merging
Dartmouth Hitchcock and CMC near formal agreement
By Jeff Mucciarone jmucciarone@hippopress.com

Dartmouth Hitchcock Manchester and the Catholic Medical Center have been collaborating for several years now. Officials at both institutions would like to continue that, even expand on it. But to do so, they need to legally formalize an affiliation so they can each and together provide the types of service the community needs, officials said.

Open for Business
An occasional look at new shops, services and more
By Jeff Mucciarone jmucciarone@hippopress.com

Stylish glass
Candia resident Kathy Berger and her business partners aren’t necessarily suggesting people need to drink more to have fun — though they might not challenge the idea — but they are offering some extra pizzazz in their wine glasses. HuePhoria, which opened three years ago, features hand-blown, hand-painted and dishwasher-safe stemware, along with an assortment of other trinkets, such as salt-and-pepper shakers and ornaments featuring “Larry the Lobsta.”