September 13, 2022 Primary Election

Even though 74% of New Hampshire voters support legalization, the “Live Free or Die” state remains an island of prohibition. New Hampshire is the only state in New England that hasn’t legalized and regulated cannabis for adults. While the New Hampshire House of Representatives has passed several legalization bills, all have died in the state Senate. Every state Senate seat is on the ballot in 2022, giving voters an opportunity to elect a more responsive body.

To help inform voters about their options, MPP sent a four-question survey to state Senate candidates. We then compiled primary candidates’ responses into a voter guide and added candidates’ public statements and incumbent lawmakers’ votes. (Much of that supplementary information was drawn from Citizens Count, which compiled voting records and included cannabis in their own candidate surveys.) This voter guide only includes races with primary elections. We will circulate a General Election voter guide after the primary.

If a candidate in your district has not taken a public position, we strongly encourage you to ask them these questions yourself! We would be happy to update the voter guide with their answers (please email kokeefe@mpp.org with any updates).

New Hampshire has open primaries, so voters can vote in any party’s primary, regardless of registration. You can find your state Senate and House district — along with everything else that will be on your ballot — on Ballotpedia. Due to redistricting, your state Senate district may have changed since you last voted. Survey Questions:

1. Nineteen states, including every other state in New England, have passed laws making cannabis possession legal for adults. Do you support making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis for personal use in New Hampshire?
2. Do you support legalizing and regulating retail sales of cannabis and cannabis-infused products (such as edibles and lotions) to adults 21 and older?
3. If New Hampshire legalizes marijuana sales, which model(s) would you support for legal sales? (Options: private licensed and regulated businesses; a state monopoly on retail sales with private cultivation and manufacture; a state monopoly on retail sales, cultivation, and manufacture; other; and undecided/unsure )
4. Most of the legalization jurisdictions, including all three neighboring states, allow adults 21 and older to discreetly and securely cultivate their own limited supply of cannabis for personal use, much the same way as every state allows the home brewing of beer. Do you support allowing adults to grow their own cannabis for personal use in New Hampshire?

N.H. State Senate Cannabis Policy Voter Guide

September 13, 2022 Primary Election

Color Key for Candidates:

Green = supports legalizing cannabis for adults’ use
Orange = uncertain or less supportive of legalization
  = unknown
Red = opposed or much less supportive than other candidates Primary Candidates for State Senate (listed in alphabetical order, by last name)

State Senate District 2 — open seat, contested Republican primary (parts of Coos and Grafton counties)

• David DeVoy II (R) responded yes to all three of MPP’s “yes” or “no” survey questions — expressing support for allowing adults to use cannabis, legalizing and regulating cannabis sales (including infused products) and allowing adults to cultivate cannabis at home. In response to question 3, he said his preferred model for legal sales was private licensed and regulated retailers, cultivators, and product manufacturers. (website) (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• Rep. Timothy Lang Sr. (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. He has a mixed voting record as a state representative. In 2022, Rep. Lang voted "yes" on the legalization/state monopoly bill that did not include home cultivation or the legal sales of edibles (HB 1598). However, he voted “no” on legalization with private, retail sales and home cultivation in 2019 (HB 481), and “no” on legalization of up to ¾ ounce and cultivation of up to six plants (HB 1648, 2020). Rep. Lang voted “yes” on decriminalization (HB 640, 2017) and “yes” on allowing medical cannabis for chronic pain (HB 157, 2017). He voted “no” on allowing home cultivation of medical cannabis (HB 472, 2018). (website) (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• Former Rep. John Plumer (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. As a state representative, he voted "yes" on legalization with private, retail sales and home cultivation (HB 481, 2019). However, in response to the 2020 Citizens Count Issues Survey, he said he was against legalization of the recreational use of marijuana. (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
  
  (The winner of the primary will face former Rep. Kate Miller (D) in the general election.)

State Senate District 3, contested Republican primary (parts of Carroll, Strafford, Coos and Grafton counties)

• Sen. Jeb Bradley (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. He responded to the 2022 Citizens Count Issue Survey, saying he was against New Hampshire legalizing marijuana with private sales and legalizing with state-run stores. He said he was undecided on legalization with home cultivation. Earlier in 2022, he voted “no” on HB 629, which would have legalized simple possession and home cultivation of cannabis and “no” on 2017’s legalization bill (SB 233). Sen. Bradley voted “yes” on decriminalization bills in 2015, 2016, and 2017. He also voted “yes” on medical cannabis legislation in 2012 and 2013, but opposed medical cannabis home cultivation bills as a member of the Senate Health Committee (HB 364, 2019 and SB 420, 2020). (website) (Facebook) (Twitter) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• Nancy Cunning (R) responded “yes” to all three of MPP’s “yes” or “no” survey questions — expressing support for allowing adults to use cannabis, legalizing and regulating cannabis sales (including infused products) and allowing adults to cultivate cannabis at home. In response to question 3, she said her preferred model for legal sales was private licensed and regulated retailers, cultivators, and product manufacturers. (website) (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile)
  
  (The winner of the primary will face Rep. William Marsh (D) in the general election.)

State Senate District 7 — open seat, contested Republican (parts of Belknap, Grafton, Hillsborough, Sullivan and Merrimack counties)

• Thomas Dunne Jr. (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. We are not aware of any public comments he has made on the issue. (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile)
• Former Sen. Dan Innis (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. In a 2018 interview, he was asked if he supports “legalizing marijuana for recreational use?” He replied, “yes, with certain restrictions to ensure the public health is protected. Perhaps some of the proceeds from taxes should go to education, and also to addiction treatment for all substance abuse.” Innis was a state senator from 2016–2018. He voted against a legalization bill in 2017 (SB 233), while voting for decriminalization (HB 640, 2017) and to allow medical cannabis for chronic pain (HB 157, 2017). In 2018, he responded to the Citizens Count Issue Survey’s question on legalization by saying, "I support marijuana legalization." (website) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
  
  (The winner of the primary will face Richard Lobban (D) in the general election.)

State Senate District 10 — open seat, contested Democrat primary (parts of Cheshire and Hillsborough counties)

• Rep. Donovan Fenton (D) responded “yes” to all three of MPP’s “yes” or “no” survey questions — expressing support for allowing adults to use cannabis, legalizing and regulating cannabis sales (including infused products) and allowing adults to cultivate cannabis at home. In response to question 3 — asking about candidates’ preferred model for legal sales — he said “unsure/undecided.” As a state representative, he voted "yes" on legalization at least three times: legalization with private, retail sales in 2019 (HB 481); legalization of up to ¾ ounce and cultivation of up to six plants; (HB 1648, 2020); and legalization with a state monopoly on retail sales (HB 1598, 2022). (website) (Twitter) (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• Bobby Williams (D) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. (website) (Twitter) (Citizens Count profile)

State Senate District 10— open seat, contested Republican primary (parts of Cheshire and Hillsborough counties)

• Ian Freeman (R) responded “yes” to all three of MPP’s “yes” or “no” survey questions — expressing support for allowing adults to use cannabis, legalizing cannabis sales (including infused products), and allowing adults to cultivate cannabis at home. In response to question 3, he said his preferred model for legal sales is “a complete end to prohibition with no regulations or taxes on production/sale.” He also added this comment on question one, "I support legalizing but NO regulations. Government regulations prevent poor people from entering the marketplace and competing. I want freedom for cannabis producers AND users." (website) (Twitter) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• Sly Karasinski (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. He told the 2022 Citizens Count Issue Survey,  he was against legalization with state-run stores, and that he was undecided on legalization with home cultivation or private sales. In 2020, he told the Citizens Count Issue Survey, he was “against” the state legalizing "the recreational use of marijuana." (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)

State Senate District 11, contested Republican primary (parts of Hillsborough county: Amherst, Merrimack, Milford, and Wilton)

• Sen. Gary Daniels (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. He voted “no” on HB 629 (2022), which would have legalized simple possession and home cultivation of cannabis. He also voted “no” on the 2017 legalization bill (SB 233). Sen. Daniels even voted “no” on decriminalization bills in 2015 and 2016. As a state representative, he voted “no” on medical cannabis legislation in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013. In 2016, he spoke on the Senate floor against decriminalization. “We are in a war, and the last thing we need is to tell our citizens that it's OK to use a little marijuana or any other illegal substance,” he said. (website) (Facebook) (Twitter) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• John Frechette (R) MPP was not able to find contact information in time to send him our survey. Mr. Frechette did not respond to the 2022 Citizens Count Issues Survey, which included questions on legalization (website) (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
  
  (The winner of the primary will face former senator Shannon Chandley (D) in the general election.)

State Senate District 13 — open seat, contested Republican primary (Nashua wards 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9)

• Daniel Paul (R) — MPP was not able to find contact information in time to send him our survey. However, Mr. Paul told the 2022 Citizens Count Issues Survey he supports legalization with home cultivation and legalization with private sales, and is opposed to legalization with state-run stores. (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile)
• Stephen Scaer (R) — MPP was not able to find contact information in time to send him our survey. Mr. Scaer did not respond to the 2022 Citizens Count Issues Survey, which included questions on legalization. (website) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• 
  (The winner of the primary will face Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D) in the general election.)

State Senate District 16 — open seat, contested Republican primary (parts of Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Rockingham Counties)

• Rep. Barbara Griffin (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. As a state representative, she voted "no" on adult-use legalization at least twice: legalization with private, retail sales in 2019 (HB 481) and legalization with a state monopoly on retail sales (HB 1598, 2022). She even voted against adding chronic pain as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis (HB 157, 2017). She voted “yes” to decriminalize up to ¾ of an ounce (HB 640, 2017 and HB 618, 2015). (website) (Twitter) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• Rep. Michael Yakubovich (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. As a state representative, he voted "yes" on adult-use legalization at least three times: legalization with private, retail sales in 2019 (HB 481); legalization of up to ¾ ounce and cultivation of up to six plants; (HB 1648, 2020); and legalization with a state monopoly on retail sales (HB 1598, 2022). (website) (Twitter) (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
  
  (There are no other General Election candidates, so the winner of the primary will become the senator for district 16.)

State Senate District 17 — open seat, contested Republican primary (parts of Belknap, Merrimack, and Rockingham Counties)

• Scott Bryer (R) responded “yes” to all three of MPP’s “yes” or “no” survey questions — expressing support for allowing adults to use cannabis, legalizing and regulating cannabis sales (including infused products) and allowing adults to cultivate cannabis at home. In response to question 3, he said his preferred model for legal sales is a state monopoly on retail sales, with private licensed and regulated cultivation and manufacture. The 2022 Citizens Count Issues Survey asked if candidates would support legalizing recreational marijuana by licensing growers and private retailers. He said, “ I support licensing of growers but not private retail. Cannabis stores should be state run using a model similar to the State Liquor and Wine Stores.” (Citizens Count profile)
• Rep. Howard Pearl (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. As a state representative, he voted "yes" on adult-use legalization at least three times: legalization with private, retail sales in 2019 (HB 481); legalization of up to ¾ ounce and cultivation of up to six plants; (HB 1648, 2020); and legalization with a state monopoly on retail sales (HB 1598, 2022). In 2017, he voted for decriminalization and to expand the medical program to include chronic pain. He voted against home cultivation of medical cannabis in 2018 (HB 472), but since then voted for home cultivation for adults 21 and older. He responded “undecided” on all three legalization questions from the 2022 Citizens Count Issues Survey, saying, “I am supported medical marijuana programs and decriminalization. I will give full consideration to any bill relating to full recreational use, homegrown, and state run distribution facilities. The challenge with many of these bills is in the details of the language. In the past I have supported some and not others.” (website) (Twitter) (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
  
  (The winner of the primary will face Christine Tappan (D) in the general election.)

State Senate District 18, contested Republican primary (parts of Hillsborough County: Litchfield and Manchester Wards 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9)

• Former Rep. George Lambert (R) responded “yes” to all three of MPP’s “yes” or “no” survey questions — expressing support for allowing adults to use cannabis, legalizing and regulating cannabis sales (including infused products) and allowing adults to cultivate cannabis at home. In response to question 3, he said his preferred model for legal sales was private licensed and regulated retailers, cultivators, and product manufacturers. As a state representative, he voted “yes” on legalization (HB 1705, 2012), medical cannabis (HB 573, 2013), and decriminalization (HB 1625, 2014) bills. (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• Former Rep. Ross Terrio (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. As a state representative, he voted “yes” on legalization (HB 1705, 2012) and decriminalization (HB 1625, 2014). He responded he was supportive on all three legalization questions from the 2022 Citizens Count Issues Survey — home cultivation, private sales, and state-run stores. (website) (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
  
  (The winner of the primary will face Sen. Donna Soucy (D) in the general election.)

State Senate District 22 — open seat, contested Republican primary (parts of Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties; Pelham, Atkinson, Plaistow, and Salem)

• Rep. Daryl Abbas (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. In 2018, he told the Citizen Count Issue Survey, "I oppose marijuana legalization." As a state representative, he voted "no” on legalization at least twice: legalization with private, retail sales in 2019 (HB 481) and legalization of up to ¾ ounce and cultivation of up to six plants (HB 1648, 2020). In 2022, he sponsored legalization with a state monopoly on retail sales (HB 1598, 2022). Also in 2022, Rep. Abbas attempted to kill a bill to legalize of up to ¾ ounce and cultivation of up to six plants by proposing a motion to lay it on the table of the House floor. (HB 629). (website) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
• Rep. Peter Torosian (R) did not respond to MPP’s candidate survey. In 2018, he, told the Citizen Count Issue Survey, "I oppose marijuana legalization." As a state representative, he voted "no” on legalization at least three times: legalization with private, retail sales in 2019 (HB 481); legalization of up to ¾ ounce and cultivation of up to six plants (HB 1648, 2020); and legalization with a state monopoly on retail sales (HB 1598, 2022). He also voted against decriminalization (HB 640, 2017) and against home cultivation of medical cannabis (HB 472, 2018). He did vote to allow medical cannabis for chronic pain. (HB 157, 2017) (website) (Facebook) (Citizens Count profile with contact info)
  
  (The winner of the primary will face Wayne Haubner (D) in the general election.)

New Hampshire State House of Representatives

We do not have the capacity to conduct a candidate survey on the 400-member New Hampshire House of Representatives. However, here are some resources that can help inform your votes:

• You can find candidates for your New Hampshire state House of Representatives district (along with the rest of your sample ballot) here
• You can look up candidates on Citizens Count, which has its own survey that includes cannabis policy questions. They also track recent cannabis votes.
• You can also look how incumbents voted on key votes here:
  • HB 481, 2019 — adult-use legalization with private, regulated sales
  • HB 1648, 2020 — adult-use legalization of up to ¾ ounce and cultivation of up to six plants
  • HB 1598, 2022 — adult-use legalization with a state monopoly on retail sales

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