New Bill Filed in New Hampshire Would Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Democratic Representative Chuck Grassie first sponsored a bill to decriminalize marijuana 40 years ago. It wasn’t successful then, but he’s hoping things will go differently this time around. If the bill is passed, adults ages 21 and older won’t be prosecuted for possessing an ounce of marijuana.

The main sponsor of the bill is Democratic Representative Renny Cushing, according to The Charlotte Observer. New Hampshire is the most resistant state in New England. The state’s Senate is where many bills to decriminalize marijuana have died.

Representative Grassie said, “The reasoning hasn’t changed in 40 years.”

There hasn’t been much mention of anyone strongly opposing this new bill. A House hearing is scheduled for February 8. The House of Representatives will hold a debate and vote. Some republicans, like Governor Chris Sununu, support decriminalization. There aren’t even arguments in opposition of decriminalization from law enforcement reported yet.