Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Voters in Maine and Massachusetts this week legalized recreational use of marijuana, and concerns are already being raised by law enforcement along the New Hampshire border, as well as legislators and parents.
Nashua Police Chief Andrew Lavoie is urging out-of-state visitors to leave their pot at home; the drug is still an illegal substance under federal law.
"If you drive into Nashua or bring (marijuana) into the Pheasant Lane Mall from Massachusetts, you will get arrested," said Lavoie. "It is still illegal in New Hampshire, and we enforce New Hampshire law. It being legal in Massachusetts has no bearing here - it is not decriminalized in New Hampshire."
The chief said he has concerns about impaired drivers crossing into New Hampshire from Massachusetts.
Starting on Dec. 15 in Massachusetts, anyone 21 and older will be able to use and possess up to 10 ounces of marijuana, and grow up to 12 plants at their residences. In addition, retail stores selling the drug will be permitted to open after Jan. 1, 2018, with marijuana being taxed at 3.75 percent in addition to the 6.25 percent state sales tax.
Also starting next month in Maine, those 21 and older will be able to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana; retail sales will be taxed at 10 percent.
"I would say that the people have spoken," said Jason Sidman, CEO of Sanctuary Alternative Treatment Center in Plymouth. "We did not think that it would pass. It was very close."
Sidman, whose company provides medical cannabis to qualified patients in the Granite State, said he has no concerns about the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Maine and Massachusetts.
"I think that there is so much benefit on the medicinal front that people have just felt more comfortable with it. Some of the trepidations and fears are now gone," said Sidman. "Studies have shown that crimes go down and opiate use goes down. We know that there are medicinal programs and recreational programs that can co-exist."
New Hampshire to follow?
Although the New Hampshire House of Representatives has supported past efforts to decriminalize marijuana, the state Senate has rejected those bills on several occasions.
Sen. Gary Daniels of Milford, a Republican, said this week that even though Massachusetts and Maine are able to change laws through referendums, or a popular vote, in New Hampshire a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana use would have to be thoroughly vetted and supported by both the House and Senate in order for it to be approved.
"We have had discussions, and I am sure they will be ongoing," he said. "I sat on the judiciary in the Senate and had heard testimony from organizations fighting the heroin epidemic that had surveys indicating that marijuana users are three times more likely to become heroin users."
Right now, he said the state's focus is on fighting the drug epidemic. New Hampshire can learn a lot by studying the issues Colorado has faced since legalizing marijuana, according to Daniels.
"While their intent might have been for recreational purposes, I don't think the intent was for it to end up in candy for children," Daniels said, referring to children needing medical treatment for accidentally ingesting marijuana.
The executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, Rob Kampia, said this week's election is a momentous time for the movement to end marijuana prohibition.
"From Los Angeles to Boston, voters are casting their ballots in favor of sensible marijuana policy reforms," Kampia said in a statement. " ...These votes send a clear message to federal officials that it's time to stop arresting and incarcerating marijuana users. Congress must take action to ease the tension between state and federal marijuana laws."
California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada voted to end marijuana prohibition. Arkansas, Florida and North Dakota adopted medical marijuana laws during Tuesday's election.
According to Kampia, the election results are right in line with national polls showing record-high support for making marijuana legal. He said law enforcement should be fighting serious crimes rather than enforcing failed and unpopular policies.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: End To Pot Prohibition In Neighboring States Has Some In NH Concerned, Others Hopeful
Author: Kimberly Houghton
Contact: (603) 668-4321
Photo Credit: Kimberly Houghton
Website: New Hampshire Union Leader
Nashua Police Chief Andrew Lavoie is urging out-of-state visitors to leave their pot at home; the drug is still an illegal substance under federal law.
"If you drive into Nashua or bring (marijuana) into the Pheasant Lane Mall from Massachusetts, you will get arrested," said Lavoie. "It is still illegal in New Hampshire, and we enforce New Hampshire law. It being legal in Massachusetts has no bearing here - it is not decriminalized in New Hampshire."
The chief said he has concerns about impaired drivers crossing into New Hampshire from Massachusetts.
Starting on Dec. 15 in Massachusetts, anyone 21 and older will be able to use and possess up to 10 ounces of marijuana, and grow up to 12 plants at their residences. In addition, retail stores selling the drug will be permitted to open after Jan. 1, 2018, with marijuana being taxed at 3.75 percent in addition to the 6.25 percent state sales tax.
Also starting next month in Maine, those 21 and older will be able to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana; retail sales will be taxed at 10 percent.
"I would say that the people have spoken," said Jason Sidman, CEO of Sanctuary Alternative Treatment Center in Plymouth. "We did not think that it would pass. It was very close."
Sidman, whose company provides medical cannabis to qualified patients in the Granite State, said he has no concerns about the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Maine and Massachusetts.
"I think that there is so much benefit on the medicinal front that people have just felt more comfortable with it. Some of the trepidations and fears are now gone," said Sidman. "Studies have shown that crimes go down and opiate use goes down. We know that there are medicinal programs and recreational programs that can co-exist."
New Hampshire to follow?
Although the New Hampshire House of Representatives has supported past efforts to decriminalize marijuana, the state Senate has rejected those bills on several occasions.
Sen. Gary Daniels of Milford, a Republican, said this week that even though Massachusetts and Maine are able to change laws through referendums, or a popular vote, in New Hampshire a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana use would have to be thoroughly vetted and supported by both the House and Senate in order for it to be approved.
"We have had discussions, and I am sure they will be ongoing," he said. "I sat on the judiciary in the Senate and had heard testimony from organizations fighting the heroin epidemic that had surveys indicating that marijuana users are three times more likely to become heroin users."
Right now, he said the state's focus is on fighting the drug epidemic. New Hampshire can learn a lot by studying the issues Colorado has faced since legalizing marijuana, according to Daniels.
"While their intent might have been for recreational purposes, I don't think the intent was for it to end up in candy for children," Daniels said, referring to children needing medical treatment for accidentally ingesting marijuana.
The executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, Rob Kampia, said this week's election is a momentous time for the movement to end marijuana prohibition.
"From Los Angeles to Boston, voters are casting their ballots in favor of sensible marijuana policy reforms," Kampia said in a statement. " ...These votes send a clear message to federal officials that it's time to stop arresting and incarcerating marijuana users. Congress must take action to ease the tension between state and federal marijuana laws."
California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada voted to end marijuana prohibition. Arkansas, Florida and North Dakota adopted medical marijuana laws during Tuesday's election.
According to Kampia, the election results are right in line with national polls showing record-high support for making marijuana legal. He said law enforcement should be fighting serious crimes rather than enforcing failed and unpopular policies.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: End To Pot Prohibition In Neighboring States Has Some In NH Concerned, Others Hopeful
Author: Kimberly Houghton
Contact: (603) 668-4321
Photo Credit: Kimberly Houghton
Website: New Hampshire Union Leader
