Advertisement Governor says she would veto marijuana legalization Hassan says legalization would send wrong message Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The New Hampshire House plans to vote this week on a bill that would legalize marijuana for recreational use, but it may have little chance to become law.Click to watch News 9's coverage.Supporters hope that renewed attention on the issue from Washington and Colorado legalizing the drug might make a difference in New Hampshire. But Gov. Maggie Hassan said Monday she would veto any such bill.Less than six months ago, Hassan signed a bill allowing the medical use of marijuana."But I don't support the decriminalization of marijuana any further, and I would veto it if it comes to my desk," she said.The bill before the House would allow for the recreational possession of up to an ounce of pot, which would be sold and taxed at a licensed retailer."Marijuana is widely available today despite the best efforts of law enforcement, and we are suggesting that it should be regulated so that taxpaying businesses who do follow the law are the people who produce it and do make the profits," said Matt Simon of the Marijuana Policy Project.Simon pointed to a WMUR Granite State Poll released in October that shows 60 percent of residents are in favor of the idea of legal, taxable marijuana sold by licensed stores for recreational use."I think we need to understand that marijuana has to come from somewhere," he said. "If it doesn't come from a regulated market, it comes from an illicit market, and that ultimately helps criminals and cartels."Members of law enforcement have long opposed the legalization of marijuana in New Hampshire, and while it could generate millions in tax dollars for the state, Hassan said she won't support it."We have some challenges in our state when it comes to substance abuse," she said. "We need to be focusing on that, and I just think it's the wrong message to send to young people."It's possible that the bill wouldn't make it to the governor's desk because the Senate rejected a similar proposal last year.