[Update: Members of the Senate Finance Committee advanced HB 1633 back to the Senate floor on May 21 with amendments. The amendments include reducing possession limits from four ounces to two ounces, and also delaying adults from legally possessing cannabis until licensed sales begin.]

Members of the New Hampshire Senate gave preliminary approval final week to Home-backed laws (HB 1633) that may set up a statewide regulated hashish marketplace for adults. The vote marks the primary time a majority of the Senate has ever authorized a legislative effort to legalize marijuana.

New Hampshire is the one New England state that prohibits the sale of hashish to adults. Though possession of as much as three-quarters of an oz of hashish is decriminalized (punishable solely by a nice), possession of bigger quantities is a misdemeanor punishable by as much as a yr in jail. The pending laws legalizes the possession of as much as 4 ounces and/or 10 grams of concentrated hashish.

Outgoing Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has expressed a willingness to signal the laws into legislation if it limits hashish sellers to not more than 15 state-supervised franchisees. No different grownup use state regulates gross sales by way of state franchises. Below this plan, the Liquor Fee of the State will supervise the operation of the retailers, which is able to every look related in look. Liquor can also be offered in New Hampshire solely at state institutions.

Though the Senate model of the invoice is basically in step with the governor's plan, the Home model is just not. Traditionally, Governor Sununu has opposed liberalizing the state's marijuana legal guidelines. Main Republican gubernatorial candidates Kelly Ayotte and Chuck Morse have each stated that, if elected, they’d oppose loosening the state's hashish legal guidelines.

The measure awaits additional debate by members of the Senate Finance Committee earlier than returning as soon as once more to the Senate flooring. If authorized, the members of the Home should agree with the amendments of the Senate, or the destiny of the challenge shall be determined in a convention committee.

If enacted, New Hampshire would be the twenty fifth state to control the sale of marijuana to adults.

Supply: https://norml.org/weblog/2024/05/21/new-hampshire-senators-provide-initial-approval-for-limited-marijuana-sales/

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