For years, advocates pushing for marijuana legalization have highlighted that when it comes to policy, the live-free-or-die state stands on an island. With Maine and Massachusetts legalizing marijuana in 2016 and Vermont following suit in 2020, the one state in New England that touts personal freedoms and individual choices is the odd one out when it comes to cannabis consumption.
Now, Gov. Chris Sununu acknowledges that to be true. And in doing so, he’s outlined a path for marijuana legalization in New Hampshire.
“With the right policy and framework in place, I stand ready to sign a legalization bill that puts the State of N.H. in the driver’s seat, focusing on harm reduction – not profits,” he said in a statement Friday.
That policy includes allowing the state to control distribution and access, giving towns the option to restrict sales if they choose and following a similar approach to liquor sales in the state – with no public messaging, advertising or commercials.
The governor also warned against “marijuana miles” or pockets of concentrated stores within a city or town that sell retail cannabis.
For state representatives, who introduced a bipartisan House Bill this year, which the Senate killed on a 14-10 vote, Sununu’s proposals are merely signatory to a national audience.
“As is often the case, Governor Sununu is a day late and a dollar short. While I appreciate the governor’s willingness to finally engage on cannabis legalization, he conveniently waited until the day after legislation was defeated,” said Matt Wilhem, the House Democratic Leader from Manchester.
The killed House bill proposed that the state’s Liquor Commission regulate marijuana, with a 12.5% tax on retail sales.
The bill was brought forth by a bipartisan coalition that included Wilhem, House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire and Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire.
But like previous attempts, the bill passed the House only to be shot down by the Senate.
Although Sununu signed a bill in 2017 to decriminalize marijuana, in 2020 almost 1,500 people were arrested for carrying the drug, according to a report from the ACLU-NH.
Within these arrests, there are stark racial disparities. Statewide, Black people are almost five times more likely to be arrested. In Concord, it’s nearly six times as compared to white residents.
“Pushing legalization off yet another year makes clear that these lawmakers are willing to ignore the will of their own constituents and are OK with continuing to needlessly ensnare over a thousand people – disproportionately Black people – in New Hampshire’s criminal justice system every year,” said Frank Knaack, the policy director for the ACLU-NH.
Although a marijuana legalization bill has failed to make it to Sununu’s desk, he vowed to veto any suggestions outside of his proposed framework.
“This is the best path forward for our state, and I stand ready and willing to work with the legislature so that we can deliver a legalization bill that is smart, sustainable and retains the fabric and culture of our state,” he said.