Committee approves bill to decriminalize marijuana

[Suzanimal]

CONCORD, N.H. —New Hampshire may soon join other New England states in loosening the law when it comes to marijuana possession.

The Committee on Criminal Justice voted overwhelmingly Thursday to support a measure making it a violation, rather than a criminal offense, to possess a half-ounce or less of marijuana.

Under current law, possession of an ounce of marijuana or less is a Class A misdemeanor that carries with it a possible year in jail, but some believe that when it comes to societal problems, there are bigger fish to fry.

"We should be better spending our limited time and resources, and on top of that, the New Hampshire Constitution says the penalty ought to fit the crime," said Rep. Adam Shroadter, R-Newmarket.

Under Shroadter's bill, possession of a half-ounce would carry a penalty of a $100 fine for the first offense. Violators would not have a criminal record.

"I've been a cop for 43 years, and I've never seen anybody go to jail for a first offense," said Rep. John Tholl, R-Whitefield. "So reducing it to a violation is a good fit, I think."

"This is a good idea, whether New Hampshire is going to legalize marijuana next year, in 20 years or never," said Matt Simon of the Marijuana Policy Project. "It's just about, what should our priorities be?"

Police chiefs have long opposed the concept of decriminalizing marijuana in New Hampshire, while others said they believe loosening the current laws only tightens the grip of addiction.

"I don't have a problem with medical marijuana, but the recreational use," said Rep. John Martin, R-Bow. "We are just adding one more intoxicant to the pantheon of drugs out there for people to use, and I don't think it's right."

Even with the positive recommendation from the Criminal Justice Committee, the bill faces an uncertain future when it hits the floor of the House and Senate.

A recent WMUR poll showed that 71 percent of New Hampshire adults either favored loosening the current law or legalizing marijuana altogether.

http://www.wmur.com/politics/committ...juana/31638502

[willwash]

Not good enough. I would have voted against this and any other bill short of full legalization. This runs the risk of letting some steam out of the movement.

[jmdrake]

I'm surprised the "Live free or die" state is behind Colorado on this.

[TheTexan]

"I don't have a problem with medical marijuana, but the recreational use," said Rep. John Martin, R-Bow. "We are just adding one more intoxicant to the pantheon of drugs out there for people to use, and I don't think it's right."

Hear, hear! Thanks for standing up for what you believe others shouldn't be doing in their free time.

[jmdrake]

Hear, hear! Thanks for standing up for what you believe others shouldn't be doing in their free time.

You make me LOL! You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to bxm042 again.

[TheTexan]

I'm surprised the "Live free or die" state is behind Colorado on this.

They're working on the dying part it's just taking a while.

[Stratovarious]

Pot smokers are stooooooooped , I remember that from high school , I had a friend....lol

But I applaud any state that salutes freedom by getting the ##C# out of the lives of the citizens they
are supposed to serve .


..

[Keith and stuff]

I'm surprised the "Live free or die" state is behind Colorado on this.

NH doesn't have ballot initiatives. Over 70% of voters in NH might support decriminalization. Both candidates for governor campaigned as supporting decriminalization. However, the current governor lied. She relies on police to support her reelection efforts. Police like that she lied about her lack of support for decriminalization.

No state isn't even close to perfect. That's certainly true of NH too

[Suzanimal]

NH doesn't have ballot initiatives. Over 70% of voters in NH might support decriminalization. Both candidates for governor campaigned as supporting decriminalization. However, the current governor lied. She relies on police to support her reelection efforts. Police like that she lied about her lack of support for decriminalization.

No state isn't even close to perfect. That's certainly true of NH too

New Hampshire lawmakers vote for bill decriminalizing marijuana

(Reuters) - State representatives in New Hampshire on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly for a bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, although the measure is likely to face resistance from the senate and the governor.

The bill, passed by the state House of Representatives by a vote of 297-67, would essentially treat possessing up to a half ounce (14 grams) of marijuana like a traffic violation. A first offense would carry a $100 fine.

The measure would bring New Hampshire in line with other New England states that have relaxed marijuana possession laws in recent years.

The House has passed several decriminalization bills in past years, but they have failed to make it out of the Senate. Governor Maggie Hassan, a Democrat, has said she would veto a decriminalization bill.

Wednesday's winning margin in the Republican-majority House, however, was bigger than in previous votes in favor of decriminalization, and it raises the possibility that a super-majority of lawmakers may be able override any veto by the governor.

...

http://news.yahoo.com/hampshire-lawm...152847832.html

[Keith and stuff]

http://news.yahoo.com/hampshire-lawm...152847832.html

She campaigned in support of marijuana decriminalization. Now she opposes it. At least the NH House is not filled with people like her. 82% just voted for Decriminalization.


Three cheers for the New Hampshire House. Today it passed Marijuana Decriminalization 297 to 67, Hemp Legalization, and created a committee to study Legalizing Marijuana.