Statewide polls conducted in 2017 and 2019 have found that 68% of Granite Staters support ending cannabis prohibition. With public support now overwhelmingly in favor of reform, there has never been a more important opportunity to move New Hampshire forward on cannabis policy than this year’s elections for governor, state senator, and state representative.
The Libertarian candidate for governor, Darryl Perry, is a longtime supporter of cannabis legalization. According to his website, he would “work with the Legislature to allow for the retail sale of cannabis,” and he would champion broader drug policy reforms. (website)
Two state senators who support legalization are facing rematches from the prohibitionists they narrowly defeated in 2018: Sen. Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline) is being challenged by former Sen. Kevin Avard(R-Nashua), and Sen. Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood) is being challenged by former Sen. Bill Gannon (R-Sandown).
Several other incumbents who have opposed cannabis policy reforms are also being challenged in the general election by Democrats who support legalization: Christopher Rice (D-Rochester) will face Sen. Jim Gray (R-Rochester), Jenn Alford-Teaster (D-Bradford) will take on Sen. Ruth Ward (R-Stoddard), and Bill Bolton (D-Plymouth) will attempt to win the seat currently held by Sen. Bob Giuda (R-Warren).
Although the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s platform calls for legalization and regulation of cannabis, the three Democratic senators who represent Manchester and neighboring towns have not supported legalization bills, and they even voted in 2019 to maintain criminal penalties against home cultivation by registered patients and caregivers. Notably, two of these senators face rematches with challengers who are longtime supporters of legalization: Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) is being challenged by former Rep. George Lambert (R-Litchfield), and Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D-Manchester) faces Carla Gericke (R-Manchester).
Voters: The information in this voter guide is based on responses to survey questions, public statements, and votes cast by incumbent legislators. Please take time to become informed about the candidates who will appear on your ballot and do what you can to become an active participant in the election.
If you speak to a candidate and learn their positions on cannabis policy issues, or if you see a news link or audio/video clip with a relevant quote we haven’t included, please share the information with us by emailing msimon@mpp.org.
Candidates: If you would like to add or change a response, or add a comment, please email msimon@mpp.org, and we will be happy to update the voter guide.
Click here to view all candidates for state Senate and their positions on cannabis policy.
Click here for a list of key roll call votes in the state House of Representatives so you can see how incumbents and former representatives voted.
