Cannabis Legalization Hearing: A Preview
In 2018, a bill to legalize and regulate the sale, possession, growth, and distribution of cannabis products was approved in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, but died in the state Senate.
On Tuesday February 5th at 1 p.m. in Representatives Hall, HB-481-FN, a new cannabis legalization bill will receive its first public hearing before the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Unlike some bills which are simply slightly edited, reanimated versions of bills that died in the previous session, HB-481-FN is an all-new bill that addresses many of the concerns and recommendations identified in a 264-page report by a state marijuana study commission chaired in 2018 by Rep. Patrick Abrami.
Over the past week, I’ve received many passionate emails on both sides of this issue. Some feel that cannabis is addictive in the higher concentrations available today, making it a gateway drug for opioids and opening the door to severe psychosis and mental illness. Others worry about the strong likelihood of “legal” cannabis products finding their way to children, where some studies indicate they can damage still-developing brains.
The bottom line is people on both sides of this issue are genuinely concerned with the potential negative impact of cannabis consumption on the health of our children and on consumers who may wrongly assume that “legal” is the same thing as “totally safe”. There are also very legitimate concerns about being able to detect and prosecute cannabis intoxication for people operating motor vehicles under the influence.
But something to consider is that New Hampshire is now surrounded by states that have legalized cannabis. In October 2018, Canada, which we also share a border with, joined the growing number of countries that have legalized cannabis on a national basis. With a majority of New Hampshire residents living less than a 30 minute drive from the state line—and cannabis freely available in other states—it’s likely cannabis products will be flowing back and forth across our borders regardless of whether we legalize or not. Meanwhile, the current black market will continue to flourish, kids and others obtaining it illegally will have no idea how strong it is or if it’s been contaminated with adulterants, we’ll have no extra revenue to spend on much needed drug education, and law enforcement will need to divert resources to enforce laws that other states have already done away with.
This article contains a good summary of the bill itself, which at 34 pages is the most comprehensive piece of legislation to come before our committee in this session.
Some key numbers to keep in mind:
1: the number of ounces a citizen age 21 or over would be able to possess under the new law.
5: the number of grams of cannabis concentrate adults would be able to legally possess.
6: the maximum number of plants adults could grow for personal use at home.
21: the minimum legal age to purchase and consume cannabis products in New Hampshire.
$30: the proposed tax per ounce on the sale of cannabis at the wholesale level
$100: the fine for smoking cannabis in a public place.
1000: the minimum number of feet a facility selling cannabis would have to be from any school.
130,000: the estimated number of potential cannabis consumers in New Hampshire age 20 or higher.
$2 million: the amount required to fund a new Cannabis Control Commission to oversee the sale and distribution of cannabis products by private companies.
$33 million: a conservative estimate of the new revenue that legalization will bring into the state treasury.
If you feel strongly about this legislation, I’d urge you to do three things:
Read the report of the legislative commission that studied cannabis legalization. While it doesn’t make a recommendation on legalization one way or the other, it does a fantastic job of outlining the key issues and makes thoughtful, data-informed recommendations should the state decide to legalize the growth, sale, and distribution of cannabis.
Read the bill itself. It’s extremely comprehensive and is clearly the type of legislation the commission envisioned should New Hampshire go forward with legalization.
Consider attending the public hearing Tuesday at 1 p.m., or contact me directly.