FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Coalition Exceeds 1000 Signatures, Recommends Decrim Similar to Other States

Concord, NH (Feb. 5) -- The NH Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy has announced that it will encourage legislators to support an amendment placing reasonable limits on the bill that would decriminalize marijuana in New Hampshire. Sponsored by Reps. Charles Weed (D-Keene), Paul Ingbretson (R-Haverhill), and Steve Vallaincourt (R-Manchester), House Bill 92 has been assigned to a subcommittee, which has not yet been scheduled to meet.

During the bill’s initial hearing before the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, bill sponsors encouraged representatives on the committee to craft amendments that would improve the bill, which currently places no limits on acceptable amounts for possession. This process could turn HB 92 into a workable “partial decrim” bill similar to those which are in effect in other states such as Maine.

Under current New Hampshire law, possession of even a trace amount of marijuana is treated as a misdemeanor; the “perpetrator” can face up to one year in prison and up to a $2000 fine. In Maine, possession of less than 1.25 ounces is a “civil violation” punishable only by a fine. “Partial decriminalization is a sensible, moderate reform that should garner broad support from all sides of the political spectrum,” explained Matt Simon, a spokesman for the Coalition. “There’s no good reason to put people through the system for simple possession. This will unclog our courts, conserve tax dollars, and allow police to focus their resources on serious crimes.”

In a few short weeks, the Coalition’s website, NHCommonSense.org, has collected over 1100 online petition signatures in favor of HB 92.

To demonstrate public support for HB 92, the Coalition for Common Sense urges New Hampshire citizens to visit its website, NHCommonSense.org, and sign an online petition. The Coalition itself is a grassroots network of volunteer activists who are dedicated to decriminalizing marijuana in New Hampshire.

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Contact:
Matt Simon
NH Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy
(603) 391-7450
info@nhcommonsense.org
www.NHCommonSense.org