Here are three bills of interest that are currently being considered by the New Hampshire House of Representatives:

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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee has voted 16-2 to recommend this bill "ought to pass," and the full House is scheduled to vote March 10!  Click here to find your representatives and ask for their support on HB 1653!

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 public hearing on this bill took place Jan. 7, and the bill was voted OTP ("ought to pass") in an 11-6 vote Feb. 2.  The House approved this bill creating a special committee of legislators to study NH drug policy in an uncontested voice vote Wednesday, Feb. 17.  A hearing has not yet been scheduled in the NH Senate, so check back for updates.

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.