NH House Passes Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

[Chemisse]

March 9, 2012
By Phillip Smith

The New Hampshire House barely passed a marijuana decriminalization bill Thursday. The bill squeaked by on a 162-161 vote, not enough to overcome a threatened veto by Gov. John Lynch (D).

The bill, House Bill 1526, would make possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana a civil infraction for the first and second offenses, with fines capped at $250 and $500, respectively. Subsequent offenses would be misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Current law specifies up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine for any simple marijuana possession offense.

http://cannabis.hawaiinewsdaily.com/2012/03/09/nh-house-passes-marijuana-decriminalization-bill/

Ffs! Why would Lynch veto this??

[Warren Stupidity]

2. I won't miss lynch, but his replacement will probably be worse.

[Mopar151]

4. Our law enforcement and "sobriety" industries don't help

And the Police Chiefs assn' has been very helpful to Lynch lately.

[Icicle]

3. ....

I bet there are some (not necessarily Lynch, but perhaps) who look at this as a reduction in state income, due to reduced fines.
In a state with no income tax and no over-the-counter sales tax our people in Concord sometimes look to fines and other fees to make up the difference.
So I bet it all boils down to a budget issue....

[Warren Stupidity]

5. In that case they should legalize it and sell it in the state liquor stores.

[Chemisse]

6. Now THAT would solve our budget problems!

Especially if we were the only state in the area to do it.

Of course the feds would never let us; they can't even leave the medical marijuana states alone.