New Hampshire’s legislature sent a bill up to the governor to establish a commission that would be responsible for drafting legislation to legalize pot through a state-run system of stores. The governor, who believes that legalization in New Hampshire is “inevitable,” wants to create a novel regulatory framework because he fears that lawmakers could pass a less-favorable bill with a veto proof majority.
In a voice vote, on Thursday, after bipartisan and bicameral lawmakers had reached agreement in a conference panel on incremental commission legislation, the House of Representatives and Senate approved the measure. This is the deadline for legislative action in this year.
The committee’s bill initially required only a commission to examine the novel idea of state stores for cannabis. This was a model that Governor. Chris Sununu, a Republican who had previously opposed cannabis legalization, only recently changed his mind. It was changed last week so that the group would be mandated to draft a legalization measure for the state based on its findings. The legislators will then have to consider this when they reconvene in January for the second session of two years.
The commission’s work is due on December 1 if the Governor signs the bill.
John Hunt, the chairman of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee (R), who was a conferee this year, worked on marijuana reform issues extensively. This included recent efforts to find a compromise regarding legislation that would legalize marijuana through a system with multiple levels, including state-controlled shops and dual licensing for medical cannabis dispensaries and private businesses licensed by state agencies.
Hunt’s panel has reached a deadlock on the complex legislation. This was after Sununu announced that he supported state-run legalization, and the Senate rejected a more conventional legalization bill passed by the House’s bipartisan leaders.
In an interview with CNBC, the Governor explained that he supports the unique model of state-controlled legalization, recognizing the fact that the legislature will be able to implement some sort of reform.
He said, “I have never been a strong believer when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana. But the legislation is there.” “We are surrounded, I believe by 1,000 miles of states that have legalized recreational marijuana.” Not only would it pass for it to happen, but it would probably pass with the power to override mine.
The governor stated that “even though I may not like it, it is my responsibility to create a model which, in the long run, is better than the rest of the states around us — one with the protections.” This is done through the existing state-controlled system for liquor sales.
He said, “We would be able control everything if we controlled the retail side of marketing and branding. We do this really well.” “Our New Hampshire alcohol stores are ranked as one of the five top retailers in the nation. We have a successful model. We can use that model to build on, because other states do not have it.
The Governor said that the legalization of marijuana is “inevitable” and “it will happen.”
Sununu replied, “Let’s protect it.” There will be some revenue, but you shouldn’t legalize more drugs to make money. This is a moral and ethical problem. We’re not following the path that other states have taken. “I think we can achieve it if other states can.”
Sununu seems to be confident that his proposal for legalization will pass the Senate, but recent events raise some doubts about the lawmakers’ willingness to support the type of reform Sununu is promoting.
Last year, a bill to implement a state-run cannabis program passed the New Hampshire House. However, it was defeated unanimously in the Senate.
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The underlying legislation that was attached to the provisions of the legalization study committee and headed to the governor would also remove the requirement that patients with pain first try opioid-based treatment before they receive a recommendation for medical cannabis.
The law also clarifies that it is not intended for the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived products such as delta-8THC.
The House rejected a separate marijuana legalization bill that was proposed in conjunction with a Medicaid expansion measure.
Last month, the Senate also moved to introduce another piece of legislation that would have permitted patients and designated caregivers up to three mature, three immature and 12 seedling plants for personal therapeutic purposes.
After rejecting reform bills in 2022 by the Senate, the House added legalization language to separate criminal justice legislation. But this was also rejected in the opposing chamber .
North Carolina Senate and House battle over the fate of Medical Marijuana Bill, with other legislation as collateral damage
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