Hey there! Did you hear the news? New Hampshire just took a major step toward legalizing marijuana! That’s right; the New Hampshire House just passed a bill that would legalize the use of recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and over. And the best part? The bill was sponsored by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, showing that marijuana legalization is a bipartisan issue.
So What’s This Bill About?
The bill, which passed by a vote of 236-112, would allow adults in New Hampshire to possess up to three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants at home. It would also establish a system for regulating and taxing the sale of marijuana, similar to the systems currently in other states where marijuana is legal.
The fact that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers sponsored this bill is a big deal. Typically, marijuana legalization has been seen as a more liberal issue, with Republicans being more hesitant to support it. However, this bill shows that support for legalization is growing across the political spectrum.
One of the Republican co-sponsors of the bill, Rep. Carol McGuire, spoke about her support for it, saying, “I think it’s time to take the crime out of marijuana and regulate it. It’s here, it’s in our state, and it’s time to recognize reality.” McGuire’s sentiments were echoed by many of her colleagues on both sides of the aisle, who argued that legalizing marijuana would create jobs, generate revenue for the state, and reduce the burden on law enforcement.
Some People Aren’t Happy (Naturally)
Of course, not everyone is thrilled about the prospect of marijuana legalization. Some lawmakers in New Hampshire have expressed concerns about the potential adverse effects of legalizing marijuana, including increased drug use and addiction rates. Nonetheless, supporters of the bill continue to argue that legalizing marijuana would actually reduce rates of drug use by taking the profits out of the hands of drug dealers and creating a regulated market where the quality and potency of the product can be monitored.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time New Hampshire has considered legalizing marijuana. In fact, the state has been working towards legalization for several years now. In 2013, New Hampshire passed a law allowing for the use of medical marijuana, and in 2014, the state decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana. However, full legalization has remained elusive until now. (Read more about the state of cannabis in America here.)
What Happens Next?
So, what happens next? As the bill moves forward, it will likely face some opposition from lawmakers who are still reluctant to support legalization in New Hampshire. However, the fact that the bill was able to pass the House with bipartisan support is a positive sign, and legalization supporters are optimistic that the bill will eventually become law.
If the bill does pass the Senate and becomes law, New Hampshire will become the 17th state in the US to legalize marijuana. This is a major milestone for the legalization movement, which has gained momentum nationwide in recent years. With more and more states legalizing marijuana, it’s becoming increasingly clear that marijuana prohibition is a thing of the past.
So, there you have it. The New Hampshire House has passed a bill that would legalize marijuana, and the state is now one step closer to joining the growing list of states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. While the bill has yet to become law, one thing is clear: marijuana legalization is on the rise, and it’s only a matter of time before more states follow suit.
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