Senate hears from supporters and critics of marijuana legalization bill

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Recreational marijuana proponents hope New Hampshire will follow neighboring states in legalizing cannabis.

During a hearing at the State House this week, lawmakers also heard from many critics, from health educators to the Catholic Church.

Bob Dunn, director of public policy for the Diocese of Manchester, spoke on behalf of Bishop Peter Libasci.

In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dunn said a bill legalizing the recreational use of marijuana does not protect young people, families and communities.

Any revenue that may be produced under the passage of this bill will certainly be outweighed by the financial costs, let alone the social costs, he said.

The Senate committee will now review the bill and present its recommendation to the full Senate.

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill earlier this month. While the House has approved the legalization of marijuana in previous legislative sessions, this year’s bill has seen Republicans and Democrats rallying behind it. House Majority Leader Jason Osborne and House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm are the primary sponsors of the bill.

Osborne called the bill a compromise. He said it accomplished a main goal, which he said was to take this market out of the hands of gangsters and thugs.

Former state Rep. Patrick Abrami, who chaired a 2019 marijuana task force, said he’s more convinced than ever that New Hampshire shouldn’t legalize pot for adults. In his remarks, he argued that the black market, even in a regulated state, never really goes away.

In his testimony, Wilhelm said the ban on the legal sale of cannabis to adults has harmed communities, leading to what he called uneven enforcement and an increased likelihood of black people being arrested on marijuana-related charges. .

It’s time for New Hampshire to join each of our neighbors, he said.

Prevention specialists and educators, as well as student lecturers, called on the Senate committee to reject the bill.

Emily Shanahan, prevention specialist and coordinator of the state chapter of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said lawmakers need to prevent drug use, not encourage it.

As our state faces an opioid crisis, a youth vaping epidemic, and a mental health crisis, why are we considering legalizing another addictive drug that has serious negative effects on youth, families? and our communities?

Proponents of the bill countered that New Hampshire residents were already buying recreational cannabis in Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont. Osborne, the House Majority Leader, said a recreational cannabis store parking lot in Tyngsborough, Mass., not far from the New Hampshire border, has lots of Live Free Or Die license plates. .

Former State Rep. Timothy Egan of Sugar Hill testifies in support of a bill to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana on April 20, 2023. Egan also serves as chairman of the NH Cannabis Advisory Board Association.

As amended by the House, the bill would allow anyone 21 years of age or older to possess up to 4 ounces of cannabis in plant form, 20 grams of concentrated cannabis products, and products that do not contain more than 2,000 milligrams of THC.

It proposes a tax rate of 12.5%, levied at the wholesale level. The intent is for the New Hampshire Liquor Commission to be responsible for licensing and enforcement, with the state regulating cannabis the same way it does alcohol sales.

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