Post by Project Mayhem on Jan 22, 2014 0:11:32 GMT -6
On January 15, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 170-162 to approve a bill that would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for use by adults in the "Live Free or Die" state. This was the first time any state legislative chamber has approved such a bill.
An October 25 WMUR Granite State Poll found that 60% of New Hampshire adults support the bill — HB 492. Unfortunately, Gov. Maggie Hassan has said she will veto the bill if it reaches her desk. "I just think it's the wrong message to send to young people," she explained.
Please contact Gov. Hassan's office and tell her sensible regulation does NOT send the wrong message.
Based on Colorado's Amendment 64 and sponsored by Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R-Manchester), HB 492 would end New Hampshire's failed prohibition of marijuana and replace it with a system of sensible regulation. It would allow adults 21 and older to cultivate up to six plants for personal use, in addition to creating a system for taxing and regulating the cultivation, production, and sale of marijuana. The next step for the bill will likely be a referral to the House Ways and Means Committee. Then, a second vote by the House will be held in February or March.
Please make sure you are signed up for MPP’s email alerts, so we can keep you posted as this and other important marijuana policy reforms are considered.
Gov. Hassan signs bill; N.H. becomes 19th state to pass medical marijuana law
On July 23, 2013, Gov. Maggie Hassan signed a bill allowing seriously ill New Hampshire residents to use marijuana for medical purposes. Unfortunately, before doing so, she insisted on several changes, which included gutting the affirmative defense provisions, removing PTSD from the list of conditions, and requiring written permission from property owners or tenants before patients may use marijuana on private property. A summary of the bill is available here.
MPP and other advocates’ and legislative champions’ work on this bill did not stop with Gov. Hassan’s signature. We are closely monitor the rulemaking and implementation processes, and we're doing our best to make sure the program is implemented as swiftly and responsibly as possible. We will also support legislation to improve the law.
House passes bill reducing penalties, considers several other marijuana policy reform bills in 2013
Gov. Hassan has said she opposes any form of marijuana decriminalization, but that didn’t stop the House from considering three bills that would have reduced or eliminated possession penalties in 2013.
HB 621, as amended, would have reduced the penalty for possessing less than one ounce of marijuana to a violation punishable by a fine of up to $200. HB 621 passed the House by a decisive 214-115 margin March 21. Sadly, the Senate Judiciary Committee once again voted the bill “inexpedient to legislate” in a 5-0 vote.
HB 492, as discussed above, would legalize personal cultivation and possession of marijuana for adults 21 and over and regulate it like alcohol. Although the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee recommended against its passage, the bill will get a floor vote in January. Ask your legislators to support it!
Finally, HB 337 would have entirely removed marijuana from the New Hampshire criminal code. The bill received 112 votes in the House, losing 239-112.
MPP's Matt Simon and former Rep. Evalyn Merrick — who sponsored medical marijuana legislation — after the signing of HB 573.
www.mpp.org/states/new-hampshire/
