Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A commission tasked with exploring marijuana legalization in New Hampshire held its first meeting on Tuesday, setting off a yearlong examination process ahead of its final report next November.
Created by House Bill 215, the commission is charged with looking at what might happen if the state legalized marijuana and regulated and taxed it like alcohol, along the model of other states.
The goal is broad. Among the topics to be considered, according to the commission: how legalization might affect the opioid crisis, crime rates, children's health, DUI accidents, taxation policies, and New Hampshire's brand.
"To me, in simple form, I think it's our job to identify the good, the bad and the ugly of legalization," Rep. Patrick Abrami, the commission's chairman, said at the meeting on Tuesday.
The commission will reach out to states that already have undertaken the effort, such as Colorado, which implemented legalization in 2014, and Massachusetts, which will roll out its legalization effort next summer. Members will try to set up video conferences with state officials over Skype, said Abrami, a Stratham Republican.
But legalization advocates aren't holding their breath for reform.
"I have very, very little hope that this commission could at the end of next year recommend legalization," said Marijuana Policy Project's New England Political Director Matt Simon, who attended the meeting. "It's theoretically possible, but I have no hope that it will happen."
For Simon, the issue has been the same for months: the group's membership. Comprised of representatives from medical groups, law enforcement and state agencies, as well as legislators, the group is stacked with those who already oppose legalization, Simon said.
An earlier version of the bill creating the commission had provided for representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire and the Marijuana Policy Project – both of which support legalization – but the spots were eliminated shortly before final passage, Simon said.
Those on the commission, though, say they're leaving any preconceptions at the door.
"We have to look at the issues from all angles, and from an open mind," Abrami said.
So far seven states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, including many of New Hampshire's neighbors. In July, Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana; that measure went into effect last month.
New Hampshire's decriminalization law means those found by law enforcement with less than three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana may not be charged criminally – however, the drug can still be seized and the person can receive a fine.
Legalization would allow full use of cannabis in certain situations, though age limits and driving regulations – similar to alcohol – likely would apply.
In recent years, New Hampshire residents have begun to warm to the idea of full legalization; 61 percent supported legalization according to a WMUR Granite State Poll from July 2016.
Abrami dismissed the polling, saying many don't have all the facts and that New Hampshire should not follow the example of other states and hold a referendum.
"Referendums are beauty contests," he said. "Not everyone has all the facts. That's why this commission is supposed to dig out all of the facts and make a recommendation."
That idea appeals to Simon, who says his organization welcomes the chance to take an evidence-based approach.
And though he maintains that legalization in the Granite State is not likely to happen in 2018, Simon predicted that with Maine, Vermont, and soon Massachusetts jumping on the trend, the issue will likely be on voters' minds during the fall campaign season.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: N.H. Marijuana Legalization Committee Holds First Meeting
Author: Ethan DeWitt
Contact: Contact the Newsroom - The News Source of New Hampshire's Upper Valley
Photo Credit: Flickr
Website: Valley News - The News Source of New Hampshire's Upper Valley
Created by House Bill 215, the commission is charged with looking at what might happen if the state legalized marijuana and regulated and taxed it like alcohol, along the model of other states.
The goal is broad. Among the topics to be considered, according to the commission: how legalization might affect the opioid crisis, crime rates, children's health, DUI accidents, taxation policies, and New Hampshire's brand.
"To me, in simple form, I think it's our job to identify the good, the bad and the ugly of legalization," Rep. Patrick Abrami, the commission's chairman, said at the meeting on Tuesday.
The commission will reach out to states that already have undertaken the effort, such as Colorado, which implemented legalization in 2014, and Massachusetts, which will roll out its legalization effort next summer. Members will try to set up video conferences with state officials over Skype, said Abrami, a Stratham Republican.
But legalization advocates aren't holding their breath for reform.
"I have very, very little hope that this commission could at the end of next year recommend legalization," said Marijuana Policy Project's New England Political Director Matt Simon, who attended the meeting. "It's theoretically possible, but I have no hope that it will happen."
For Simon, the issue has been the same for months: the group's membership. Comprised of representatives from medical groups, law enforcement and state agencies, as well as legislators, the group is stacked with those who already oppose legalization, Simon said.
An earlier version of the bill creating the commission had provided for representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire and the Marijuana Policy Project – both of which support legalization – but the spots were eliminated shortly before final passage, Simon said.
Those on the commission, though, say they're leaving any preconceptions at the door.
"We have to look at the issues from all angles, and from an open mind," Abrami said.
So far seven states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, including many of New Hampshire's neighbors. In July, Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana; that measure went into effect last month.
New Hampshire's decriminalization law means those found by law enforcement with less than three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana may not be charged criminally – however, the drug can still be seized and the person can receive a fine.
Legalization would allow full use of cannabis in certain situations, though age limits and driving regulations – similar to alcohol – likely would apply.
In recent years, New Hampshire residents have begun to warm to the idea of full legalization; 61 percent supported legalization according to a WMUR Granite State Poll from July 2016.
Abrami dismissed the polling, saying many don't have all the facts and that New Hampshire should not follow the example of other states and hold a referendum.
"Referendums are beauty contests," he said. "Not everyone has all the facts. That's why this commission is supposed to dig out all of the facts and make a recommendation."
That idea appeals to Simon, who says his organization welcomes the chance to take an evidence-based approach.
And though he maintains that legalization in the Granite State is not likely to happen in 2018, Simon predicted that with Maine, Vermont, and soon Massachusetts jumping on the trend, the issue will likely be on voters' minds during the fall campaign season.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: N.H. Marijuana Legalization Committee Holds First Meeting
Author: Ethan DeWitt
Contact: Contact the Newsroom - The News Source of New Hampshire's Upper Valley
Photo Credit: Flickr
Website: Valley News - The News Source of New Hampshire's Upper Valley
