New Hampshire: Ask Gov. Lynch to sign drug policy study committee bill

Published: May 20, 2010

2010 has been a year of positive momentum in the New Hampshire Legislature for discussion of marijuana reform. Earlier this year, the House passed a bill to reduce marijuana possession penalties (which died in the Senate) and voted to study a bill that would tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol. The New Hampshire Legislature is continuing its run of positive drug policy measures with H.B. 1373, a bill that would establish a committee to study New Hampshire’s drug laws, including marijuana prohibition. The bill directs the study committee "to study the effects of current state and federal laws on illegal drugs and the possession and use of such drugs." The House and Senate each passed the bill by a voice vote, and the House voted again by voice vote on May 19 to send the Senate-amended version to Gov. John Lynch (D). It’s time to ask Gov. Lynch for his signature.

Please call Gov. John Lynch and ask him to sign HB 1373 into law.

In addition to studying the effects of all drug prohibition laws, the committee created by this bill would have the opportunity to highlight New Hampshire’s marijuana laws. As the bill’s primary sponsor Rep. Joel Winters (D – Manchester) put it, "New Hampshire legislators have considered some important criminal justice and marijuana policy reforms this year, but we can’t stop there. As lawmakers, if we want to create smart, effective drug policies, we must not be afraid to ask the right questions, like who is being arrested and prosecuted, for what, and why. HB 1373 will help us get answers to those questions, and ultimately lead to better policies that will benefit our state’s residents."

Please call Gov. Lynch, and ask him to sign HB 1373.

After you have called the governor, please pass this alert along to friends and family who are also interested in improving New Hampshire’s marijuana laws. Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project and the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy.