State lawmakers showed their opposition to marijuana decriminalization yesterday by defeating a bill lowering marijuana penalties, and later voting to prevent its reintroduction until after the year 2000.
House Bill 87 proposed changing possession of less than one ounce of marijuana from a Class A misdemeanor to a noncriminal violation. The House defeated the measure by a vote of 269 to 92, and later decided 219 to 149 to postpone the bill indefinitely. That vote prevents bill sponsor Rep. Tim Roberston (D-Keene) or any other legislator from reintroducing the measure next year.
A bill sponsored by Robertson to legalize medical marijuana has been carried over until next year.
For more information, please contact either Keith Stroup or Paul Armentano of NORML @ (202) 483-5500.