New Hampshire Senate Committee Rejects Cannabis Legalization Bill |

A New Hampshire legislature on Wednesday rejected a bill legalizing recreational cannabis, likely resulting in the measure not passing the Senate. Under House Bill 1598, adult possession of cannabis would be legalized and the State Liquor Commission would become the sole retailer of legal cannabis.

The bill passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives earlier this month by a vote of 169 to 156. But the Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously recommended on Wednesday that the bill be considered “improper for legislation,” according to a report in the New Hampshire Bulletin. This recommendation is expected to be put to a vote by the entire Senate in the coming weeks.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to three-quarters of an ounce of cannabis, up to five grams of hashish and certain cannabis-infused products containing up to 300 milligrams of THC. The measure allows cannabis products to be passed from one adult to another while respecting the same limits. The bill also allows adults to grow up to six cannabis plants at home.

State Cannabis Stores

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission would be given the power to “regulate and administer the cultivation, manufacture, testing and retail sale of cannabis statewide,” according to the text of the bill. Cannabis would be sold in state stores just as alcohol is marketed in the state. The legislation also gives local governments the power to restrict or ban cannabis companies from establishing themselves in the cities and towns they govern.

All senators on the Ways and Means Committee voted to throw out the bill, including those who support cannabis policy reform. Democratic Sen. Cindy Rosenwald said, “I am concerned overall about the ability of the Liquor Commission to take on other responsibilities,” noting that the legislation contains no restorative justice or social justice provisions.

“That bill is unresolvable today,” she added.

Democratic State Senator Erin Hennessey said that a state monopoly on retail cannabis would disadvantage growers. She also expressed concern about competition for the state’s existing medical cannabis operators, saying her constituents are disappointed that the law does not legalize edible cannabis products.

“I’d love to be able to fix that bill, but there are just too many questions that we’ve received that make it unfixable for those who want to see marijuana legalized in the state,” Hennessey said.

Other senators made clear their opposition to cannabis policy reform ahead of Wednesday’s vote, scheduled for April 20.

“I’m against marijuana,” said Senator Lou D’Allesandro, a Democrat and former teacher. “I’ve dealt with this with students; I dealt with voters. It is a problem. I think the situation is pretty clear: The availability of marijuana on, let’s call it the black market, is ubiquitous. It is everywhere. And we have to deal with the consequences.”

“I think this is a poorly drafted bill,” D’Allesandro added. “The ability to actually do that doesn’t exist.”

Republican state senator Bob Giuda demonstrated his ignorance of the issue by claiming that cannabis leads to the use of more dangerous drugs, a theory that has been repeatedly debunked.

“Why would we want to join the herd that is introducing into our culture the legalization of what is undoubtedly a gateway drug?” Giuda asked his colleagues on the committee.

Devon Chaffee, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, spoke out in favor of the bill, although he failed to convince lawmakers in the panel.

“I’m not going to sit here and tell you this is the perfect bill,” Chaffee said, adding, “but what I’m going to tell you is that we’re done waiting for the perfect bill on this subject. “