Concord, NH: House lawmakers last week voted 214 to 137 in favor of legislation to decriminalize minor marijuana possession offenses.
House Bill 1653 would reduce criminal penalties on up to one-quarter ounce of cannabis from a misdemeanor (punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine) to a fine-only offense.
The measure now goes to the Senate for further action. If enacted by the Senate, the measure will be before Democrat Gov. John Lynch, who has threatened to veto the proposal. “Marijuana is a controlled drug that remains illegal under federal law,” said Lynch. “We should not make the jobs of parents – or law enforcement – harder by sending a false message that some marijuana use is acceptable.”
To date, thirteen states have decriminalized the personal use and possession of marijuana by adults. According to a 2009 University of Washington study, “There is no evidence that the decriminalization of marijuana by certain states … caused an increase in marijuana use or related problems.”
For more information, please visit NORML’s ‘Take Action Center’ at: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/.