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WEBVTT ADAM SEXTON IS LIVE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. ADAM: TOM AND MONICA, THE GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION DOESN’T REALLY HAVE A SAY IN THIS MATTER, BUT IT STILL FELT THE NEED TO TAKE A POSITION. WITH THE LEGISLATURE NOW UNDER DEMOCRATIC CONTROL AND THE PARTY ADOPTING MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION INTO ITS PLATFORM, MANY EXPECT LEGALIZATION TO CLEAR THE NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE, AND POSSIBLY THE STATE SENATE AS WELL. GOVERNOR CHRIS SUNUNU HAS ALREADY INDICATED HE WILL VETO A BILL THAT DOES THAT, SAYING NEW HAMPSHIRE IS NOT READY FOR THIS CHANGE. TODAY THE COMMISSION BACKED HIM UP, WITH MEMBERS SAYING LEGALIZATION AND THE EVENTUAL MARKETING OF CANNABIS WILL ONLY LEAD TO INCREASED LEVELS OF ADDICTION. >> THIS IS A SOCIAL EXPERIMENT THAT’S GOING TO IMPACT OUR CHILDREN. I THINK THIS IS A CASE WHERE WE WANT TO BE BEHIND THE CURVE, WE DON’T WANT TO BE LEADING THE CHARGE AND GOING WITH THE OTHER STATES THAT HAVE LEGALIZED. ADAM: IN A STATEMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID, "I VERY PLEASED AM THAT THE COMMISSION, COMPOSED OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS IN THE TREATMENT, RECOVERY, AND PREVENTION FIELDS, UNANIMOUSLY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR THE RECREATIONAL LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE." THIS YEAR’S LEGALIZATION BILL WILL GET ITS FIRST HEA

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A state commission created to reduce alcohol and drug problems in New Hampshire expressed opposition Friday to a bill to legalize recreational marijuana use.The Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs weighed in on a bill that would legalize marijuana use by those ages 21 and older and tax it in a manner similar to alcohol. While several of the members of the commission did not vote, those who did -- including those representing hospitals, the departments of safety and corrections, and the state liquor commission -- were unanimous in their opposition.The bill, sponsored by Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, would legalize up to 1 ounce of recreational marijuana and 5 grams of concentrated cannabis. Adults would be allowed to grow up to six plants, and a cannabis control commission would be set up to license and regulate cannabis businesses.Supporters argue that legalization could produce $33 million per year in revenue and that New Hampshire should join other New England states that have legalized the drug. Similar efforts have failed in the past, but Democrats, who added legalization to their party platform last year, now control both the House and Senate.Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, however, opposes legalization and has said he would veto the bill if it passes."I am pleased that the Commission, composed of public health officials in the treatment, recovery, and prevention fields, unanimously came to the conclusion that now is not the time for the recreational legalization of cannabis in New Hampshire," he said in a statement Friday.Cushing said he wasn't surprised by the commission's opposition but believes members are "missing the boat on science" in insisting that marijuana is a gateway drug to opioids and by failing to consider the criminal justice point of view."The idea that we can continue to make outlaws out of a wide swath of the population is a continuation of failed public policy," he said in an interview. "Prohibition doesn't work. It only feeds criminal activity."The commission's action came as it released its three-year strategic plan. The plan sets several targets to be met by 2021, including decreasing the number of drug overdose deaths by 25 percent, decreasing marijuana use by high school students by 10 percent and increasing the number of people being treated for substance use disorders by 25 percent.