N.H. debates marijuana decriminalization; Ex-Salem officer, Kingston rep. back bill

WINDHAM â?? Retired Salem police Officer John Tomassi is among a handful of police officers who believe the criminal penalties for marijuana possession are too severe.

Tomassi, a Windham resident, is testifying in support of a New Hampshire bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. If passed, people caught with a quarter ounce of pot would receive a ticket and a maximum $200 fine.

Attempts to legalize marijuana have failed in the past. But last week, a House subcommittee passed this bill 3-1 with some amendments.

The measure still has a long way to go before it becomes law, and David Welch, R-Kingston, predicts this new attempt to reform marijuana laws will also go up in smoke.

Yet, he was one of the three who voted for the bill. Welch wants lawmakers to debate the issue and said if the bill has a chance of passage, it would make for a livelier discussion.

"We haven't had the debate in a long time," Welch said.

The move to debate marijuana use comes from the plight of teens who smoked pot in high school and find out later a drug conviction has disqualified them for college grants, he said.

Ideally, Welch said, the publicity about the bill will "hit the streets" and young people experimenting with marijuana will hear about the consequences and not use drugs. Meanwhile, lawmakers can consider if New Hampshire should join other states, including Maine, that have reduced the penalties.

"We need to have a good discussion and find out if this is something we want to do," he said.

So far, 12 states have decriminalized marijuana, according to Matt Simon, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy. He called the vote evidence of "growing consensus among legislators that New Hampshire's penalties for simple marijuana possession are unnecessarily harsh."

Simon, who has taught college classes, said he witnessed the impact on his students, their families, and the youths' future employment prospects.
N.H. debates marijuana decriminalization; Ex-Salem officer, Kingston rep. back bill - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

Best of luck to all you in N.H. :thumbsup:

Have a good one!:jointsmile: