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Penalties for public use of marijuana?

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A bill being considered by the legislature this year, HB 1815, would create a new offense for consuming or displaying marijuana in public. It would be a misdemeanor charge, which does go on a criminal record, and entail a minimum fine of $350 (but not jail time). Read more about this issue

Should NH make it a criminal offense—subject to a fine, but not jail time—to display or consume any quantity of marijuana in public?

Discussion held on Citizens Count NH website and Facebook page January 11, 2018

371 citizens responded 287 citizens were opposed to criminal charges for marijuana in public43 citizens were in favor of criminal charges for marijuana in public 41 citizens said other
What Participants Said

No: 287 citizens were against making it a criminal offense to consume marijuana in public.

  • “No, it shouldn't be a criminal offense, but smoking of any kind in public should be a fine.”
  • “I don't even like weed and still say no fine, no jail. Just legalize it already.”
  • “No… If you can smoke tobacco in the park, you should be able to do the same with weed.”

Yes: 43 citizens were in favor of making it a criminal offense to consume marijuana in public.

  • “A lot of non-smokers don’t want to smell it and they don’t want their kids seeing it. That’s a completely reasonable request.”
  • “If you want to do your weed at home, that’s your choice. Out in public, it’s my right (or anybody else’s right) not to want to see you indulge.”
  • “Just like cigarettes, no one should be forced to breathe that in. No pot in public.”

Other: 41 citizens addressed their comments to related questions and issues.
Most of these individuals talked about the degree to which pain contracts are already in use in New Hampshire:

  • General marijuana regulations: “Legalize it across the board, like alcohol - that's my opinion.”
  • Current legal status: “Is it not a crime now to consume it in public?”
  • Jurisdiction: “Until the federal government changes the controlled substance status of marijuana, it doesn't matter what New Hampshire does.”

*Editor selection of actual participant quotes.

Read the full Facebook discussion of this question.

Click here for details on our methodology

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