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Press Release
Marijuana Reform Advocates Ask Gov. Sununu to Veto Marijuana Study Commission Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Contact: Violet Cavendish
vcavendish@mpp.org
Final version of HB 215 includes numerous opponents of reforming marijuana laws, but no supporters — the bill’s prime sponsor and other leading advocates have withdrawn their support
CONCORD, N.H. — Today, advocates for legalizing and regulating marijuana in New Hampshire sent a letter to Gov. Chris Sununu asking him to veto HB 215, a bill that would create a study commission to consider marijuana legalization and regulation. The letter, which was signed by leading advocates including the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Renny Cushing (D-Hampton), notes that, “The commission envisioned by the final bill includes numerous vocal opponents, such as the Association of Chiefs of Police and New Futures, but it does not include any known supporters.” You can read the full letter at https://www.mpp.org/HB215vetol
The House version of the bill included a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire and a representative from the Marijuana Policy Project, which would have added some balance to the commission, but the Senate removed those prospective members from the bill.
“New Hampshire should absolutely study marijuana legalization, but this isn’t the way to go about it,” explained Matt Simon, New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. “Sadly, the commission proposed in this bill would have little to no credibility with Granite Staters who support legalizing marijuana,” he said.
A poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center in April and May of 2017 found that 68% of Granite Staters support legalizing marijuana.
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Founded in 1995, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization. MPP has played a central role in passing dozens of cannabis policy reforms in states across the country, including 10 successful cannabis legalization campaigns, and also works to advance federal reforms.