The criminalization of marijuana in New Hampshire has been a perplexing issue for some time.
In a state embracing the “Live Free or Die” motto, it would almost seem the state government’s inaction on marijuana bills that would expand freedoms is antithetical.
N.H. is a prime state to have legal marijuana. A previous bill that was struck down by Governor Sununu would have integrated marijuana into the state liquor commission, selling products at state liquor stores. Logistically that would make, arguably, the most sense. The infrastructure is already in place, they would just have to get it off the ground.
Another huge benefit to N.H. is the simple fact that we are the only state around us with no sales tax whatsoever. Some of the most profitable liquors in the whole state, such as the Hooksett store on I -93, are near the borders where out-of-staters come to get cheap, tax-free alcohol. Why not make the state one-stop-shopping, get your edibles and your booze at the same time? All of that increased revenue could be used by the state to fund public education, making it cheaper for young adults to go to college in-state or to better our K-12 system.
Now, a topic that had not been introduced, to my knowledge, as a bill until now has been wiping records for those with marijuana charges.
The Keene Sentinel reports that H.B. 1539 was introduced by Jonah Wheeler, a Democrat from Peterborough, and passed with a 283-80 vote. H.B. 1539 would expedite the process for expunging marijuana possession charges off of a person’s criminal record; Opening up opportunities that were not previously available to folks.
If someone were to have a felony or misdemeanor marijuana charge they would have to disclose that in a job application. Many applications do not even have a section for explanation of your crime; meaning you may get turned down because the business may think you are a killer, but the only you have killed is a whole pack of Oreos. That is a bit hyperbolic, if you have a felony possession charge you were probably selling pot, so the worst thing you have done is give a whole bunch of people the munchies.
Either way, the moral of the story is this: marijuana possession and consumption should not be a crime. Every state around N.H. has legalized marijuana, why do we not just bite the bullet? Besides, there is a laundry list of legal things that people do that cause more severe issues/harm than eating a whole bag of chips and melting into your couch. I find it exciting that H.B. 1539 has made it this far and hope it will survive the State Senate.
Timothy Fitzpatrick can be contacted at
tfitzpatrick@kscequinox.com
