New Hampshire House Passes Cannabis Legalization Bill

House Lawmakers Rally Colleagues For Votes

Prior to Thursday’s vote, Democratic state Rep. Jodi Newell spoke in favor of the legislation, saying “the overwhelming majority of Granite Staters who implore this body to end the criminalization of cannabis, to end the fear of unnecessary disruption to people’s lives in the event that they find cannabis to be their nighttime sleep aid, their mood enhancer or their morning pick-me-up.”

“I stand asking you once again to pass legislation that would entrust our citizens over the age of 21 with the responsibility to consume cannabis, if they so choose, without fear of retribution from the state,” she said.

Newell told her colleagues that her husband died of a heroin overdose and that alcohol killed her brother, “but somehow we still maintain that our citizens cannot be trusted to consume cannabis responsibly, even as we know that it is virtually impossible to consume a lethal amount, and even as we know that cannabis is a much safer alternative to the substances that have taken the lives of my loved ones and likely many of yours.”

At a legislative hearing last week, Democratic state Rep. Jared Sullivan noted that New Hampshire would not be the first state to legalize cannabis possession and use without legalizing sales of marijuana.

“There is precedent for this,” said Sullivan, according to a report from WMUR television news. “That’s exactly what Vermont did. They legalized it, and a few years later, they came back with a model on how they’re going to actually regulate the sale of it within the state.”

Final Passage Of New Hampshire Weed Legalization Bill Seems Unlikely

Republican state Rep. Terry Roy spoke against the bill, saying “if we decide to legalize marijuana, then we should do it correctly, in an orderly way.”

“I know we’ve tried in 50 different bills over the last few years. Nothing seems to go through, and let me tell you, this one ain’t gonna go through, either,” he added. “Let’s do it smart and do something that takes care of children, has guard rails and protections, not just throw it out there.”

Last year, the New Hampshire Senate passed a bill to legalize cannabis, despite a vow from then-governor Chris Sununu to veto a marijuana legalization bill. His replacement, Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte, has similarly indicated her opposition to legalizing recreational marijuana, making a veto of HB 75 likely if the measure makes it to her desk.