Will NH follow in marijuana legalization?
By Max Sullivan
Nov 20, 2016
New Hampshire lawmakers say legalization of marijuana in Maine and Massachusetts should increase the chance of passing similar laws in the Granite State, while police officials say they'll continue to arrest people found in possession of pot until the law changes.
"The bottom line is we have to enforce the law," said Portsmouth Police Chief David Mara.
New Hampshire is now sandwiched between two states that have legalized marijuana, separated by just 18 miles of coastline and about 14 miles of highway on Interstate 95. Seacoast legislators said this week they believe that will increase pressure on the Legislature to at least decriminalize marijuana.
"It's really kind of a game changer," said Democratic Hampton state Rep. Renny Cushing. "There's going to be a product that's legally purchased and available to people on our borders. With that same product, someone goes to New Hampshire, they could have someone put in jail for a year."
Matt Simon, New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project has lobbied for marijuana legalization in Concord for 10 years. Simon said the change in states bordering New Hampshire should lead to decriminalization in the next legislative session. He also said legalization should be around the corner for New Hampshire.
"The state will finally start talking about legalization," Simon said.
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