The state Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana in New Hampshire.About 40 people signed up to speak at the hearing for the bill, which would also allow people to grow their own marijuana."One of the things this bill does is recognize that our 85-year-old war against cannabis has been a failure," said Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton.Supporters of the bill said it's modeled on the state liquor system and has similar safeguards in place."It will prohibit the consumption of cannabis in automobiles," Cushing said. "It will prohibit the consumption of it in public."Before the hearing, a group opposed to marijuana legalization cited reports they said showed that states that have legalized the drug are experiencing rises in emergency room visits and car crashes attributable to the increase in marijuana use."The harm done by marijuana in the states that have legalized it is unquestionable," said Sen. Bob Giuda, R-Warren. "It's incontrovertible, and it is devastating."The group also said that any increase in revenue from the sale of marijuana will not match legislative expectations, saying the black market continues to thrive in places such as Colorado, which has legalized recreational marijuana.The bill has passed the House, but its fate is uncertain even if the Senate passes it. Gov. Chris Sununu has said he will veto the bill, which did not pass the House with enough of a margin to overturn a veto.

The state Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana in New Hampshire.



About 40 people signed up to speak at the hearing for the bill, which would also allow people to grow their own marijuana.


"One of the things this bill does is recognize that our 85-year-old war against cannabis has been a failure," said Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton.

Supporters of the bill said it's modeled on the state liquor system and has similar safeguards in place.

"It will prohibit the consumption of cannabis in automobiles," Cushing said. "It will prohibit the consumption of it in public."

Before the hearing, a group opposed to marijuana legalization cited reports they said showed that states that have legalized the drug are experiencing rises in emergency room visits and car crashes attributable to the increase in marijuana use.

"The harm done by marijuana in the states that have legalized it is unquestionable," said Sen. Bob Giuda, R-Warren. "It's incontrovertible, and it is devastating."

The group also said that any increase in revenue from the sale of marijuana will not match legislative expectations, saying the black market continues to thrive in places such as Colorado, which has legalized recreational marijuana.

The bill has passed the House, but its fate is uncertain even if the Senate passes it. Gov. Chris Sununu has said he will veto the bill, which did not pass the House with enough of a margin to overturn a veto.