Bill to End Pot Prohibition Passes New Hampshire House

A new bill to end pot prohibition in New Hampshire and regulate it for adult use passed the House of Representatives Wednesday by a pretty overwhelming majority of 209-147. The legislation know as HB 481 will now be sent to the Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.

“The House vote highlights just how little support remains for maintaining marijuana prohibition in the Granite State,” says Matt Simon, New England Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project, in a statement. “Most New Hampshire residents agree it is time to legalize and regulate cannabis. There is no reason to continue punishing adults for consuming a substance that is less harmful than alcohol, and it is counterproductive to force them into a potentially dangerous illegal market to access it.

A recent February 2018 poll found more than two-to-one support for legalized possession and limited home cultivation. Only 25 percent of residents said they were opposed. Plus University of New Hampshire Survey Center have repeatedly shown a strong majority of New Hampshire residents support legalizing cannabis. And four consecutive polls found at least 60 percent support for legalization.

“Cannabis prohibition has been just as big of a failure as alcohol prohibition, causing many of the same problems,” continues Simon. “It ensures cannabis remains entirely uncontrolled and that all of the revenue from its sale goes into the pockets of criminals. HB 481 offers New Hampshire a sensible alternative, and we will continue working to build support for the bill in the House as it is considered by the Ways and Means Committee.”