New Hampshire House Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

House of Reps in New Hampshire approved a bill this week that would decriminalize marijuana up to a half-ounce and take penalties from a misdemeanor with up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine, to a civil violation with a $100 fine that would grow with each additional offense. A WMUR Granite state poll released this month shows about 72% of New Hampshire think marijuana should be decriminalize. New Hampshire is the only New England state to currently punish marijuana possession with jail-time.

“This is commonsense marijuana policy reform,” said Matt Simon, New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. “It is irrational to brand people as criminals simply for possessing a substance that is safer than alcohol.”

“New Hampshire citizens want the legislature to adopt a more sensible marijuana policy,” Simon said. “House members have done their part, and we hope their colleagues in the Senate will join them in supporting this measure.”