Hearing on marijuana policy reform Tuesday

As expected, the House voted down H.B. 247, a medical marijuana bill, on Wednesday. The final vote—252-116—shows that there are at least 116 sensible and compassionate legislators in the New Hampshire House. To find out if your legislators are among them, click here and spread the word that those who opposed this bill should be tossed out by voters. (A nay vote for H.B. 247 is actually a vote in favor of it, and a yea vote is a vote against.)

One thing is clear from this vote: There are 252 legislators who either don't understand the will of New Hampshire's voters or who simply don't care. Whatever the case may be, there are 252 legislators who shouldn't be sent back to Concord by voters.

For now, though, we have more work to do. This Tuesday, February 15, at 1:00 p.m., the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hear testimony on H.B. 197, a bill that will eliminate criminal penalties associated with marijuana. This is a landmark opportunity to get the message out that marijuana prohibition has failed and that more sensible marijuana policy options exist. To accomplish that goal, we need to do four things:

1. Help pack the room. We need supportive and appropriately dressed activists to fill the room to let legislators know that this is an issue that has strong, mainstream support.

2. If you are a supportive public figure—doctor, nurse, attorney, law enforcement official, etc.—or you know of one, please e-mail ryan@mpp.org so we can arrange for you to testify.

3. Visit http://mpp.org/NH/action.html to use our electronic system to send a letter to your legislators supporting H.B. 197. It takes only a moment, but it can make a huge difference to a legislator. Or, if you prefer to call your legislators, click here to find their names and numbers. Visit here to get talking points, or go to /pdf/mmjargue.pdf to get more background information on medical marijuana. State legislators truly do listen to their constituents. According to former U.S. Congressman Billy Evans (D-GA), "Legislators estimate that 10 letters from constituents represent the concerns of 10,000 citizens. Anybody who will take the time to write is voicing the fears and desires of thousands more."

4. Forward this page to everyone you know in New Hampshire and tell them to repeat steps one through four.

With enough citizen pressure, February 15 will be a day that moves marijuana policy in New Hampshire forward. Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project.