In Close Vote, House Committee Backs Marijuana Legalization in N.H.

A bill to legalize recreational marijuana in New Hampshire has won the backing of a House committee, but the narrow vote foretells a floor fight when the full House of Representatives considers it.

The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 10-9 to recommend passage of House Bill 481.

The bill would legalize up to an ounce of cannabis for adults 21 and older and establish a system for regulation and taxation.

A person legally allowed to possess marijuana would be permitted to have six plants, or 12 plants total for a household. Projections in the bill say legalization would generate between $20 million and $31 million for the state.

It would levy a tax of $30 per ounce on all cannabis flowers—the tax structure means the bill will at some point be sent to Ways & Means for further review.  The proposal would establish a cannabis control commission for regulatory and licensing purposes for retail and manufacturing entities.

Public consumption would be banned and subject to a $100 fine on first offense. [Read more at New Hampshire Public Radio]