Today (3/20) we received another awesome endorsement from the major media, this time from the Concord Monitor! More info will be posted soon on how we will be approaching the Governor and the Senate, so stay tuned!

I didn't see it myself, but I've gotten a few panicked calls from people who watched WMUR last week to hear Scott Spradling announce that a marijuana bill had been defeated. They thought the popular marijuana reform bill, HB 1623, had gone down in an unexpected "surprise" vote of the New Hampshire House.

Excerpt:

David Welch, one of Weare's fellow members on the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, understands the concerns of decriminalization critics but the Kingston Republican believes it's time to talk — especially about the long-term potential harm to young people caught in the capricious nature of the criminal justice system.

Welch said that "young people do a lot of foolish things" and that a misdemeanor record for possessing a small amount of marijuana can haunt someone for life. They can be banned from scholarships and federal Pell grants — or even from serving as a police officer and in the armed forces.

"It's a debate we need," the 12-term legislator told Seacoast Sunday. "It's about time we had a discussion about marijuana use on the floor of the House."

From the Boston Globe, Feb. 24:

Matt Simon, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy, said it was clear from the House committee's actions this month that legislators "are becoming increasingly concerned about the unintended consequences of marijuana prohibition."

Got a few things off my chest with my latest blog at NHInsider.com. Plus, this is a really good article in the Eagle Tribune, yet another police officer speaking out!

 

Share this 18 minute clip from Arnie Arnesen's "Political Chowder" with your friends! Arnie discusses HB 1623 with Superintendent Rick Van Wickler (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) and the bill sponsors, Rep. Jeff Fontas and Rep. Andy Edwards.  This show aired Feb. 3.

Dear Senator Obama,

I was one of many voters who applauded Senator Chris Dodd last fall for advocating that marijuana be decriminalized. Accordingly, I was one of many voters who was disappointed to see you raise your hand in the Oct. 30 MSNBC debate, indicating that you did not agree with Dodd's common sense position.

by Matt Simon, Jan. 30

The hearing on HB 1623, the bill to reduce penalties for marijuana possession, made for some interesting drama in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.