Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Bill moves back to House for approval of change from one ounce to three-quarters. The state Senate has joined the House in passing legislation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. The vote on Thursday afternoon in favor of an amended House Bill 640 was 17-6.
The Senate version of the bill decriminalizes up to three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana. Before the bill moves to Gov. Chris Sununu for a likely signature into law, it must first be returned to the House, which passed a bill decriminalizing up to a full ounce of marijuana by a vote of 318-36 in March.
"I want to thank the legislature for passing common sense marijuana reform. I look forward to signing House Bill 640 into law," Sununu wrote.
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley said the level of three-quarters of an ounce was a reasonable compromise, while Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, a leading House proponent of marijuana decriminalization, told WMUR he was confident the House will concur with the Senate version of the bill. Once the House concurs, the bill will then go to the governor.
Bradley's amendment to lower the amount decriminalized from one ounce to three-quarters of an ounce passed, 18-5. The Senate then rejected amendments offered by Sen. Bill Gannon, R-Sandown, to reduce the threshold for decriminalization to one-half of an ounce, on a vote of 16-7.
Under the bill, any person 18 years of age or older who is convicted of possessing up to three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana would be guilty only of a violation, punishable by a fine of $100 for the first or second offense, or up to $300 for any subsequent offense within a three-year period.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: NH Senate votes to decriminalize marijuana
Author: John DiStaso
Contact: Contact Us
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Manchester, New Hampshire News and Weather - WMUR Channel 9
The Senate version of the bill decriminalizes up to three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana. Before the bill moves to Gov. Chris Sununu for a likely signature into law, it must first be returned to the House, which passed a bill decriminalizing up to a full ounce of marijuana by a vote of 318-36 in March.
"I want to thank the legislature for passing common sense marijuana reform. I look forward to signing House Bill 640 into law," Sununu wrote.
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley said the level of three-quarters of an ounce was a reasonable compromise, while Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, a leading House proponent of marijuana decriminalization, told WMUR he was confident the House will concur with the Senate version of the bill. Once the House concurs, the bill will then go to the governor.
Bradley's amendment to lower the amount decriminalized from one ounce to three-quarters of an ounce passed, 18-5. The Senate then rejected amendments offered by Sen. Bill Gannon, R-Sandown, to reduce the threshold for decriminalization to one-half of an ounce, on a vote of 16-7.
Under the bill, any person 18 years of age or older who is convicted of possessing up to three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana would be guilty only of a violation, punishable by a fine of $100 for the first or second offense, or up to $300 for any subsequent offense within a three-year period.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: NH Senate votes to decriminalize marijuana
Author: John DiStaso
Contact: Contact Us
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Manchester, New Hampshire News and Weather - WMUR Channel 9
