The New Hampshire Senate last week approved a bill to legalize cannabis in the state, InDepthNH reports. The bill would permit a state-run system favored by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and marks the first time the chamber has approved the reforms.
The bill is not the same as the House version passed last month, which did not include state-run shops, but rather a more familiar licensing system. The House has passed adult-use cannabis reforms during the last three sessions.
The Senate bill would allow 15 state-run, or franchised, shops by 2025, allowing a maximum of one per municipality, with the exception of Nashua and Manchester, which would be allowed more. The state-run plan is based on New Hampshire’s liquor store model.
During the debate, Sen. Daryl Abbas (R) noted that New Hampshire is “surrounded” by states that have legalized cannabis for adult use and New Hampshire residents are buying cannabis legally in other states already.
“We have no control on what is going on outside the border. We are dealing with the negative impact without any benefits at all.” — Abbas, during the debate, via InDepthNH
The bill would direct cannabis taxes to children’s behavioral health (10%), public safety (10%) and alcohol abuse and prevention (15%). Smoking in public would be prohibited with a $100 fine for a first offense and $500 for a second and police would be permitted to confiscate the cannabis possessed by individuals smoking in public.
The legislation also bans nicotine and alcohol sales where cannabis is sold, and cannabis industry lobbying would also be banned in the state.
The measure still has to be approved by the House before moving to Sununu who has indicated he would sign a bill that meets his demands, despite his opposition to the reforms.
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