New Hampshire gives initial approval to recreational pot
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire lawmakers on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to legalizing recreational marijuana, dismissing public safety and health concerns on a path to join scores of other states that have passed similar cannabis measures.
Lawmakers voted 209-147 in favor of the bill that would legalize possession up to 1 ounce (28 grams). Adults would be allowed to grow up to six plants, and a commission would be set up to license and regulate an industry supporters said could produce $33 million per year.
"I know change is hard. It's a little scary," the bill's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Renny Cushing, told lawmakers ahead of the vote. "But I think now is the time that New Hampshire makes the transition from prohibition to real legalization, taxation and regulation."
Past efforts have failed in New Hampshire, but Democrats, who added legalization to their platform last year, now control both the House and Senate. But a spokesman for Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said the governor remains committed to vetoing the bill. Benjamin Vihstadt said Sununu agrees with law enforcement and public health officials who say "now is not the time for the recreational legalization of cannabis in New Hampshire."
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