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CONCORD — Marijuana legalization, favored by many New Hampshire residents, was not on the legislative agenda state Senate Republicans rolled out in a information convention Wednesday after lawmakers started their annual session.
A bipartisan invoice being drafted within the N.H. Home would allow possession of as much as 4 ounces of the drug, and state-licensed shops can be allowed to promote it. However the measure will die if not supported within the Republican-controlled Senate, the place different legalization measures have been killed in recent times.
Senate President Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, instructed reporters he continues to oppose eradicating penalties for leisure hashish possession.
“I do know that there’s some those who most likely wish to see it legalized and there’s some like myself which have by no means needed to legalize it and don’t intend to for causes that I believe have gotten more and more clear by way of security, by way of its affect on well being,” he stated.
After the information convention within the Legislative Workplace Constructing, Senate President Professional Tem James Grey, R-Rochester, stated he additionally opposes legalization for leisure use, noting the drug remains to be unlawful on the federal degree. States that encompass New Hampshire have legalized it.
“Our oath says that I’ll uphold the Structure and legal guidelines of the state of New Hampshire, etcetera, etcetera,” he stated. “If I’m ignoring one of many federal legal guidelines, am I fulfilling my oath?”
Different senators have additionally opposed marijuana legalization up to now, together with Lou D’Allesandro, D-Manchester; Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry; Denise Ricciardi, R-Bedford; and Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead.
Proponents say marijuana, utilized in moderation, is secure and that New Hampshire ought to be part of surrounding states in legalizing the substance and gaining income from its sale. Opponents say the drug will be dangerous, notably to youngsters, and that legalization would enable larger proliferation of it.
On Could 4, the N.H. Home handed laws permitting possession of three-quarters of an oz. of hashish, however it was rejected within the Senate every week later, 15-9.
A ballot final 12 months by the College of New Hampshire Survey Heart confirmed two-thirds of Granite Staters supported separate laws to legalize marijuana and permit its sale in state-controlled shops, just like the best way liquor is bought. That measure cleared the Home by a slim margin however died within the Senate.
Sen. Donovan Fenton, D-Keene, stated lots of his constituents wish to see marijuana legalized and added that he’s co-sponsoring the bipartisan marijuana-legalization invoice this session.
“On my marketing campaign path I don’t suppose I spoke to a single voter that was towards legalizing marijuana,” he stated in an interview Wednesday. “I step foot within the state Senate and all the sudden these are the primary individuals I meet which are towards legalization.”
Fenton served three phrases within the N.H. Home earlier than being elected to succeed Jay Kahn, additionally a Keene Democrat, within the Senate final 12 months.
He stated he’s reserving hope that this could possibly be the 12 months the Senate approves a marijuana-legalization measure.
Even when each chambers move such a invoice, it’s not clear whether or not Republican Gov. Chris Sununu would signal it into regulation. He has expressed opposition to such laws up to now.
Fenton stated he additionally hopes the Senate passes laws to encourage use of renewable vitality in New Hampshire.
One of many objects on the agenda Senate Republicans launched Wednesday was “decreasing electrical charges by increasing the provision of latest vitality sources — conventional and renewable and increasing using internet metering.”
Additionally on the checklist was an merchandise in favor of “faculty alternative,” the system by which the state pays a part of the schooling for youngsters to go to non-public colleges. Opponents say this technique dilutes assist for public training, whereas advocates say it offers households of low earnings larger latitude in the kind of training their youngsters obtain.
One other merchandise on the agenda was to “move a Parental Invoice of Rights so that oldsters all the time know what’s taking place with their youngsters at college.”
Final 12 months, a so-called parental rights measure didn’t advance. It referred to as for a prolonged collection of faculty reporting necessities that proponents stated would enable mother and father to be extra concerned within the training and socialization of their youngsters.
Opponents stated mother and father have already got broad capability to be as concerned as they wish to be, and there was no purpose so as to add cumbersome and time-consuming new guidelines.
Republicans maintain a razor-thin majority within the Home and a 14-10 edge within the Senate.
Rick Inexperienced will be reached at rgreen@keenesentinel.com or 603-355-8567.
These articles are being shared by companions in The Granite State Information Collaborative. For extra data go to collaborativenh.org.
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