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Marijuana in state liquor stores?

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With a growing number of states legalizing recreational pot, New Hampshire legislators are considering how the state should regulate weed sales if recreational use becomes legal in the future. HB 377, which is currently in committee, would require the New Hampshire Liquor Commission to control the purchase and sale of marijuana the same way it does alcohol.  Read more about this issue

"If recreational marijuana becomes legal in New Hampshire, should sales be limited to state liquor stores?"

Discussion held on Citizens Count NH website and Facebook page October 31, 2017

300 citizens responded 222 citizens were opposed to limiting marijuana sales to state liquor stores38 citizens were in favor of limiting marijuana sales to state liquor stores 40 citizens commented on related questions or issues
What Participants Said

No: 222 citizens were opposed to limiting the sale of marijana to state liquor stores if the state were to legalize recreational marijuana.

  • “No. Give small business a chance.”
  • “No. I would rather go to a smoke shop or a dispensary. I don’t want to go in the liquor store for bud.”
  • “No. Anyone should be able to grow it and sell it. No restrictions.”

Yes: 38 citizens were in favor of limiting the sale of marijana to state liquor stores if the state were to legalize recreational marijuana.

  • “There’s plenty of stores in place already. Would be very efficient to regulate and vend.”
  • “Yes. The liquor control state model works well for New Hampshire and I think it can be properly applied to cannabis.”
  • “Yes. The amount of money the state will make from this will ensure we don't end up with a sales or income tax for years.”

Other: 40 citizens did not give a ‘yes or no’ response, instead addressing their comments to related questions and issues.
These included:  

  • Marijuana use: “I just got diagnosed with cancer.  I will be smoking weed and doing edibles. Legal or not.”
  • Medical marijuana prices: “The state has a set price of $360 per ounce for the Therapeutic Cannabis program while you can buy the same quality on the streets for $175. The state of NH is being ridiculously greedy.”
  • Logistics: “It's not going to get sold at any state liquor stores or any business that wants to use credit cards without a lot of hassle until it’s legal federally because most credit card processors will not do business with shops that sell pot.”

*Editor selection of actual participant quotes.

Read the full Facebook discussion of this question.

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