NH House Committee Approves Marijuana Decrim Proposal

By a 12-3 vote, the New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee approved a bill on March 6, 2015, that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

HB 618, bi-partisan legislation sponsored by state Rep. Adam Schroadter, R-Newmarket, would make possession of up to one-half ounce of marijuana punishable by a civil fine of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense, and $500 for third or subsequent offenses, according to Matt Simon of the New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project.

“Nobody should face time in jail simply for possessing a small amount of marijuana,” he said in a statement. “We’re glad the committee members agreed, and we hope the rest of their colleagues in the legislature will, too. This is a commonsense reform that is long overdue.”

Schroadter stated that most voters didn’t think that the state of New Hampshire should be in the business of “doling out criminal records to every person found in possession of marijuana.” He added that, “We’re talking about people facing potentially life-altering punishments simply for using a substance that is less harmful than alcohol. Hopefully, legislators will take this opportunity to bring our state laws into line with the values and opinions of state voters.”

According to the Marijuana Policy Project, 19 states and Washington, DC, have removed the threat of jail time for simple marijuana possession.