Should NH legalize recreational marijuana?

January 26, 2017

The Legislature released a text of a marijuana legalization bill this week. HB 656 legalizes and taxes marijuana cultivation and use for persons age twenty-one and older.

The bill outlines various regulations, from the ability of municipalities to control the location of marijuana establishments, to labels disclosing the THC in each serving of a marijuana product.

The bill also legalizes hemp.

70% of the tax revenue from marijuana sales would go to property tax reduction. The remaining 30% would go to the alcohol abuse prevention and treatment fund.

Bill supporters point out that both Maine and Massachusetts voted to legalize the recreational use of marijuana last November. Colorado’s experience has already proven that the legalization of marijuana is not catastrophic. Instead, marijuana taxes can generate significant revenue for state government.

Based on statistics about marijuana use, the Department of Revenue Administration estimates HB 656 would generate between $42 million to $53 million annually for New Hampshire.

Bill opponents argue that New Hampshire should not move to legalize any drugs when the state is in the middle of a drug addiction crisis; it sends the wrong message to the public about substance abuse.

The Department of Safety also expects that marijuana legalization would lead to more intoxicated driving and collisions.

Do you support the legalization of marijuana? Join the discussion on Facebook. Comments received before the night of January 29 will be included in a summary of this discussion and presented as testimony at the legislative public hearing on this bill. Only comments from NH residents will be counted, so please indicate if you are from NH in your response.

UPDATE: Read our Citizen Voices℠ report on this issue and find out where New Hampshire stands on legalizing recreational marijuana.

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First Name

Carrie

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Descoteau

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Carrie

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Plainfield, NH 03781
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January 26, 2017

#yes legalize

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David

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Hack

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David

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Rindge, NH 03461
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January 26, 2017

#yes legalize

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Barbara

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Elliott

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Barbara

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Farmington, NH 03835
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January 26, 2017

#no

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Richard

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Naya

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Richard

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Concord, NH 03301
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January 26, 2017

#yes Legalize

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michael

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barlow

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goffstown, NH 03045
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January 27, 2017

yes

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Jim

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Christilles

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Londonderry, NH 03053
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January 27, 2017

#yes legalize

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matt

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mardin

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matt

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cannan, NH 03741
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January 27, 2017

YES LEGALIZE

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Debby

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Boyce

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Debby

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Pittsfield, NH 03263
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January 27, 2017

For sone of us it's the only thing that helps with relief of our pain. I'm from NH and I vote yes Legalize Marijuana!

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Gregory

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raymond

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Gregory

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Whitefield, NH 03598
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January 27, 2017

Is this the live free or die state? #yes legalize the use of a harmless plant

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Allison

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Goodwin

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Allison

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Penacook, NH 03303
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January 27, 2017

100% #YES, for these reasons:

- Prohibition has enormous social costs: Our police devote thousands of hours to arresting, booking and imprisoning cannabis consumers, many of whom are otherwise law-abiding.
- The benefits of criminalization are minuscule to nonexistent: After decades of phohibition, criminalization has not affected general usage.
- Cannabis has legitimate medical benefits: While I am thankful for our medical cannabis law, it is still one of the most restrictive of all the states that allow for it. While I have hopes that the current bills to expand the law will pass...that still leaves many without the option to try it as a viable treatment for illnesses not covered under the law.
- Legalization does not = increased usage: Studies indicate that cannabis regulation would combat teen usage. In fact, Colorado's teen cannabis usage dropped after legalization.

- Cannabis is less harmful than alcohol or tobacco: Moderate use of cannabis does not pose a risk with otherwise healthy adults. That cannot be said for alcohol or tobacco.

Please take us out of the dark ages, and fully legalize cannabis in the State of New Hampshire!

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Jason

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Hunt

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Jason

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Northwood, NH 03261
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January 27, 2017

Statistics are important when considering the arguments against legalization. First off, our drug epidemic has nothing to do with marijuana. To say that it would send the wrong message without providing any sort of statistical relationship between the epidemic and marijuana is simply irresponsible. Second, stating that we could see an increase in marijuana related motor vehicle accidents is purely speculation, considering that there is no statistical basis for this statement. NH would only benefit from the legalization of marijuana, and this statement is supported by statistical evidence provided by the states that have already legalized it. In short, there is no clear reason to keep marijuana illegal. Legalize it.

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Desiree

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Caudell

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Desiree

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Manchester, NH 03102
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January 27, 2017

Legalize recreational marijuana #yes

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Shelby

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Laraway

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Charlestown, NH 03603
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January 27, 2017

You you can have alcohol legal that is proven to be harmful and cause accidents or completely make you unaware of what you are doing but throw a fuss about marijuana when that relaxes you, makes you hungry, maybe giggle some and helps with pain and sleep. I truly don't understand what the big harm is. There are more harmful drugs that are legal so I say legalize marijuana!!!!

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James

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Munroe

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James

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Rochester, NH 03867
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January 27, 2017

Absolutely yes please! The overwhelming amount of positive change that would come from this decision greatly exceeds the far fetched speculation that opposes it. It's natural to worry when making a major decision but look to the states who have already made it legal for comfort. Big things are happening in America and now is most definitely the time for change. Listen to the people!

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Christine

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Bohlin

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Christine

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Thornton, NH 03285
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January 27, 2017

#yes, alcohol is responsible for many more atrocities than I've ever heard from marijuana usage.

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Kimba

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Talavera

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Kimba

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Keene, NH 03431
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January 27, 2017

I believe it would do us all some good

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Abraham

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Ruiter

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Abraham

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Ashland, NH 03217-4111
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January 27, 2017

Yes Legalize. Opposing the bill because "New Hampshire is in a drug addiction crisis" makes no sense. Many states are treating opiate addiction with marijuana, with success. Legalizing is just what New Hampshire needs to fight this crisis.

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Candy

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Xiakas

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Candy

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Penacook, NH 03403
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January 28, 2017

There is no known reason not to.

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Shianne

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Ballou

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Shianne

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New Hampton, NH 03256
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January 28, 2017

With out question it should be legalized. There are too many benefits not to. People are going to continue to use it no matter what. The state might as well make some revenue from it. Legalization could also help with the Opioid addiction problem. Marijuana is far less harmful than alcohol and could take the place of many harmful prescription drugs.

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Katelynn

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Walker

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Katelynn

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Berlin, NH 03570
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January 28, 2017

It helps a lot. Relax me too. I have bad nerves and it helps me a lot. Please legalize cause people need it as medicine.

First Name

Beth

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Ruiz

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Beth

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Londonderry, NH 03053
United States

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January 28, 2017

Ultimately, the cannabis question is not about, heroine addiction, it's not about law enforcement or about sending anyone the wrong message! It's a question about freedom in a free country! Why is it that anyone has the right to tell you what you can and cannot ingest into your body? The Government might as well tell you that you can't grow or consume a tomato! but if you eat dirt, That's okay! So, according to the State, you can't grow or consume a plant called cannabis but you can consume alcohol. Wow they really care about our health. Please!!!... be real!!! This whole thing is about big Pharma not being able to profit from a plant that has been proven to cure even cancer and can be grown in someone's back yard. We even have something in our brains called endocannabinoids that are made to receive cannabinoids. For God sake, do the damn research! This is a no brainier! Go on youtube and type in Phoenix Tears and you can listen to Mr. Simpson who cure many of his friends from cancer! Everyone should be outraged that the cure for cancer is being kept from the public! This whole thing is a nightmare that's gone on far too long! The public is be kept ignorant of this incredible discovery, so that a few may profit, sicking! Everyone should have the freedom and the right to self medicate or recreate in this free country. For the love of God do the right thing and stop acting as our masters. Stand for freedom! Pass the Law! stop the needless death that is caused by not allowing people to be free.

First Name

Beth

Last Name

Ruiz

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Beth

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Londonderry, NH 03053
United States

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January 28, 2017

Sorry about my bad grammar in my previous posting, I'm not stupid but I suffer from migraines and I have one right now! so my grammar is not so good, when I'm in pain and angry. Thank you for having this website for us to vent.

Should NH legalize recreational marijuana?

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