In key vote, NH Senate passes pot legalization bill

Chances for legalizing marijuana improved on Thursday with the NH Senate approving a bill that would allow possession of the drug and its sale in 15 state-franchise stores.

The 14-9 vote on House Bill 1633 was a key step because several legalization bills have passed the House in recent years only to be rejected in the Senate. This is the first time the N.H. Senate has passed a bill aimed at legalizing recreational use of marijuana.

Sen. Daryl Abbas, R-Salem, spoke in favor of the proposal. The House passed its own version of the bill, 239-136, on April 11.

He said there are a number of provisions in the bill to protect the public.

Sales and possession would be legal for adults only. Use of marijuana in vehicles would be prohibited. Cannabis stores would need to be at least 2,000 feet from schools. Public smoking of marijuana would be prohibited. The state would regulate the potency and purity of the drug.

Abbas said that since New Hampshire is surrounded by states that have legalized the drug, marijuana already is prevalent in the state.

“We have no control over what’s happening in Massachusetts, Vermont or Maine. This allows us to have some hand on the wheel, some control over what happens with this.”

He said public opinion polling shows that New Hampshire residents overwhelmingly favor legalization.

Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, D-Manchester, said he opposes legalization because he thinks it is a public health danger.

“Each one of us must make a decision on what we perceive to be in the best interest of those we serve. I don’t think this will make life better for those I serve.”

Sen. Shannon Chandley, D-Amherst, spoke in favor of the bill.

“What we are doing now is not preventing irresponsible use. We’re not keeping people under the influence from engaging in exercises they shouldn’t be doing. I hope that by having our own law we are providing the right guardrails, the necessary structure to do it the New Hampshire way.”

The bill will now go to the Senate Finance Committee to consider monetary aspects of the legislation. The measure would then go back to the full Senate for another vote.

The House and Senate each have their own version of the bill. Differences in the two bills would have to be resolved before it is sent to Gov. Chris Sununu to be signed into law.

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Rick Green can be reached at rgreen@keenesentinel.com or 603-355-8567.

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