Here are three bills of interest that have been considered in 2010 by the New Hampshire House of Representatives:

HB 1373: “establishing a committee to study the effects of current state and federal laws on illegal drugs and the possession and use of such drugs.”

The NH House and Senate have now approved this bill creating a special committee of five state representatives to study NH drug policy.  Thanks to all who contacted their legislators!

HB 1653: “decriminalizing less than ¼ ounce of marijuana.”

This bill would reduce the penalty for possessing 1/4 ounce or less of marijuana from a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine up to $2000) to a violation punished by a $200 fine, with no threat of incarceration, and no criminal record to haunt the "violator" for life.  Reducing the penalty in this manner would save taxpayer dollars, reduce the burden on our court system, and allow police to focus their limited time and resources on more serious crimes. 

The House passed this bill in a 214-137 vote March 10, and a public hearing was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee April 6. Unfortunately, Governor John Lynch publicly threatened to veto the bill, saying it "sends the wrong message to children."  Under this pressure from the Governor, the committee voted 5-0 to reject the bill and the Senate rejected it in a voice vote.

HB 1652: "allowing purchase and use of marijuana by adults (age 21 or older), regulating the purchase and use of marijuana, and imposing taxes on the wholesale and retail sale of marijuana."

A public hearing was held in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 2:00.  The committee voted Jan. 27 to refer the bill for interim study (16-2), after a motion to recommend the bill "ought to pass" failed 8-10.  The motion for interim study was approved by the full House, so this means the committee will study the bill more thoroughly in the coming months and issue recommendations for 2011 by November.