Advertisement Governor pressured to change stance on marijuana legalization Hassan says she would veto bill if it makes it past Senate Share Shares Copy Link Copy

One day after New Hampshire's House voted to legalize possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, Gov. Maggie Hassan's office has been hearing from people for and against the measure.Hassan has said she would veto the bill if it makes it to her desk, but the bill might not make it past the Senate in the first place.Hassan spokesman Marc Goldberg said more callers have urged the governor to reconsider her position."There are certainly a number of people who disagree with the governor's position, but she continues to believe that legalizing marijuana is the wrong policy for the state of New Hampshire," Goldberg said.The bill passed by the House is similar to the new law in Colorado. Sponsors estimated that if licensed dealers were taxed between 12 and 15 percent on retail sales of recreational pot, it would produce annual revenue of about $30 million.But it's still a tough sell, as far as the Senate's concerned."I think there might be appetite for discussion, but I don't think there is any appetite to pass it," said Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester. "Listen, we have a problem in New Hampshire about drugs and drugs being pervasive throughout our society.""I think most of us in the Senate are going to look at it," said Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro. "How is this going to affect New Hampshire, the safety on the roads or the safety in the workplace?"Before the bill can go to the Senate, a late amendment means it will face another House vote after some committee work. That means further scrutiny from those who have various concerns."The quantity of an ounce seems somewhat excessive to me," said Democratic House Majority Leader Steve Shurtleff. "I think the governor is justified in saying she'd veto it if it comes to her."But a veto the bill might not be that simple politically."It's going to put Gov. Hassan in quite the pickle," said James Pindell of WMUR Political Scoop. "She's going to be making the argument that it's fine for the state to have liquor stores, it's OK to endorse expanded gambling, but marijuana -- that's going be just too bad."The bill passed Wednesday is just one proposal legalizing marijuana in New Hampshire this year. A second bill that does the same thing with adjusted numbers will have hearings in the coming weeks.