NORML Legal Committee Co-chair, Michael Cutler, Esq. of Boston, Massachusetts, testified before the New Hampshire subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety on January 29 in favor of legislation reducing the penalty for possession of less than one and one-half ounces of marijuana from a class A misdemeanor to a “violation.” He was joined by the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Tim Robertson (D/R-Cheshire), and a representative from the local American Civil Liberties Organization (ACLU).
Cutler discussed the failure of prohibition to deter adult and adolescent marijuana use and access. He submitted numerous state research studies demonstrating that decriminalization has had virtually no effect on either marijuana use or on related attitudes about marijuana use among American young people in states that enacted such measures over 20 years ago. Cutler noted that at least two of the representatives attending expressed support for the measure and speculated that New Hampshire’s governor may be sympathetic toward the bill.
Under current state law, possession of marijuana is punishable by a one-year sentence and/or $1,000 fine. Under Rep. Robertson’s proposal (H.B. 118-FN), individuals possessing small amounts of marijuana would receive a ticket and a small fine.
For more information, please contact Rep. Robertson at (603) 271-3529 or Attorney Michael Cutler at (617) 439-4990.