Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A bill to legalize marijuana in New Hampshire was rejected by a House committee on Tuesday after legislators voiced concerns about conflict with federal law and potential health consequences for a state in the throes of an opioid crisis.
Proposed before the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, House Bill 656 would have legalized the personal use of cannabis for people 21 and older and created a licensing system to allow businesses to sell the substance, which would be taxed by the state.
Opponents warned that full legalization could add to the opioid crisis by encouraging drug use and put New Hampshire in direct conflict with federal law, which continues to classify marijuana as a prohibited Schedule I drug. Many also argued it would encourage addictive behavior in children.
Supporters countered that the legislation would bring New Hampshire in line with its bordering states – all of which have legalized the drug in recent years – and allow residents to exercise their free will.
"It's a choice of an individual to decide to do it," said Rep. Larry Gagne, R-Manchester. "If the education comes from the household in the proper way, then the kids won't do it."
Vice Chairman Frank Sapareto, R-Derry – who proposed the bill – said legalization could help wean people off opioids, citing recovering veterans he had spoken to. Rep. Rennie Cushing, D-Hampton, meanwhile, said the bill would help keep people out of the criminal justice system and reduce crime.
"What we've come to realize over the past four decades is that the war on marijuana has been a failure," Cushing said. "Rather than dealing with the use of cannabis as a criminal justice matter, we should deal with it as a public health matter."
But the majority in the room had concerns.
Some, such as Rep. Roger Berube, D-Somersworth, spoke against potential conflicts with federal law enforcement, who could still make arrests. Others, like Rep. Dennis Green, R-Hampstead, raised Second Amendment concerns, citing recent federal circuit court decisions that upheld firearms restrictions on those with medical marijuana licenses.
"I don't really care what the District of Columbia, and Maine and Mass. are doing," said Rep. Dennis Fields, R-Sanbornton. "I think this is New Hampshire and we should stick to what we do."
And Rep. Laura Pantelakos, D-Portsmouth, said the present opioid crisis should rule out a legalization effort.
"I think people out there would think we were completely nuts to legalize marijuana right now," she said.
In the end, 13 legislators representing both parties voted not to recommend the bill to the House; seven voted in favor. An earlier amendment, which would have increased options for home growing and added regulations to keep marijuana away from minors, also failed, 13-7.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Valley News - Marijuana Legalization Snuffed Out In Concord
Author: Ethan DeWitt
Contact: Valley News - Contact the Newsroom - The News Source of New Hampshire's Upper Valley
Photo Credit: Scott Sonner
Website: Valley News - The News Source of New Hampshire's Upper Valley
Proposed before the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, House Bill 656 would have legalized the personal use of cannabis for people 21 and older and created a licensing system to allow businesses to sell the substance, which would be taxed by the state.
Opponents warned that full legalization could add to the opioid crisis by encouraging drug use and put New Hampshire in direct conflict with federal law, which continues to classify marijuana as a prohibited Schedule I drug. Many also argued it would encourage addictive behavior in children.
Supporters countered that the legislation would bring New Hampshire in line with its bordering states – all of which have legalized the drug in recent years – and allow residents to exercise their free will.
"It's a choice of an individual to decide to do it," said Rep. Larry Gagne, R-Manchester. "If the education comes from the household in the proper way, then the kids won't do it."
Vice Chairman Frank Sapareto, R-Derry – who proposed the bill – said legalization could help wean people off opioids, citing recovering veterans he had spoken to. Rep. Rennie Cushing, D-Hampton, meanwhile, said the bill would help keep people out of the criminal justice system and reduce crime.
"What we've come to realize over the past four decades is that the war on marijuana has been a failure," Cushing said. "Rather than dealing with the use of cannabis as a criminal justice matter, we should deal with it as a public health matter."
But the majority in the room had concerns.
Some, such as Rep. Roger Berube, D-Somersworth, spoke against potential conflicts with federal law enforcement, who could still make arrests. Others, like Rep. Dennis Green, R-Hampstead, raised Second Amendment concerns, citing recent federal circuit court decisions that upheld firearms restrictions on those with medical marijuana licenses.
"I don't really care what the District of Columbia, and Maine and Mass. are doing," said Rep. Dennis Fields, R-Sanbornton. "I think this is New Hampshire and we should stick to what we do."
And Rep. Laura Pantelakos, D-Portsmouth, said the present opioid crisis should rule out a legalization effort.
"I think people out there would think we were completely nuts to legalize marijuana right now," she said.
In the end, 13 legislators representing both parties voted not to recommend the bill to the House; seven voted in favor. An earlier amendment, which would have increased options for home growing and added regulations to keep marijuana away from minors, also failed, 13-7.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Valley News - Marijuana Legalization Snuffed Out In Concord
Author: Ethan DeWitt
Contact: Valley News - Contact the Newsroom - The News Source of New Hampshire's Upper Valley
Photo Credit: Scott Sonner
Website: Valley News - The News Source of New Hampshire's Upper Valley
