A deal brokered Thursday on cannabis legalization in New Hampshire is headed to the House and Senate next week, but it’s unclear whether it will have enough votes to pass.The passage of the compromise version of House Bill 1633 will depend on dozens of state representatives changing their minds.”We will only get one chance to create a well-regulated market for adult-use cannabis, and it’s important we get it right,” said state Rep. Heath Howard, D-Strafford.Last week, Howard was firmly opposed to the cannabis legalization bill passed by the Senate. Even with the changes in the agreement reached by the committee of conference, he’s still what he describes as an “unfortunate no” on the final version of HB 1633 headed for a floor vote Thursday.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<“Yes, the changes that were made were good, but I still don’t think it’s necessarily enough to be worthy of our seal of approval,” he said.The Senate didn’t give much in negotiations, upping decriminalization of possession from three-fourths of an ounce to an ounce upon passage of the bill. That’s instead of the two ounces the House wanted.The unwillingness to lower the franchise fee from 15% is likely to aggravate pro-cannabis Republicans in the House who want legalization but are wary of voting for a new tax.Outside the legislature, there are others who would have to adjust to the implementation of legal cannabis under the franchise model.Manchester is expected to be a cannabis retail location. In an interview for “CloseUP,” Mayor Jay Ruais said he’s keeping an open mind on the issue but has concerns.”We’re the largest city in northern New England,” he said. “A lot of the challenges that are going to be faced in New Hampshire are going to be found right here in the city, so I think we have to be very deliberative and thoughtful about any approach toward drugs and addiction here in the city.”The New Hampshire Cannabis Association is saying that it is “underwhelmed” by the compromise brokered this week.”I guess you have to look at it this way,” said Daryl Eames, of the New Hampshire Cannabis Association. “We could spend the next two decades trying to fix this, or we could spend the next two, four, six years trying to get something right. For us, we don’t see it as a net gain either way.”
A deal brokered Thursday on cannabis legalization in New Hampshire is headed to the House and Senate next week, but it’s unclear whether it will have enough votes to pass.
The passage of the compromise version of House Bill 1633 will depend on dozens of state representatives changing their minds.
“We will only get one chance to create a well-regulated market for adult-use cannabis, and it’s important we get it right,” said state Rep. Heath Howard, D-Strafford.
Last week, Howard was firmly opposed to the cannabis legalization bill passed by the Senate. Even with the changes in the agreement reached by the committee of conference, he’s still what he describes as an “unfortunate no” on the final version of HB 1633 headed for a floor vote Thursday.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
“Yes, the changes that were made were good, but I still don’t think it’s necessarily enough to be worthy of our seal of approval,” he said.
The Senate didn’t give much in negotiations, upping decriminalization of possession from three-fourths of an ounce to an ounce upon passage of the bill. That’s instead of the two ounces the House wanted.
The unwillingness to lower the franchise fee from 15% is likely to aggravate pro-cannabis Republicans in the House who want legalization but are wary of voting for a new tax.
Outside the legislature, there are others who would have to adjust to the implementation of legal cannabis under the franchise model.
Manchester is expected to be a cannabis retail location. In an interview for “CloseUP,” Mayor Jay Ruais said he’s keeping an open mind on the issue but has concerns.
“We’re the largest city in northern New England,” he said. “A lot of the challenges that are going to be faced in New Hampshire are going to be found right here in the city, so I think we have to be very deliberative and thoughtful about any approach toward drugs and addiction here in the city.”
The New Hampshire Cannabis Association is saying that it is “underwhelmed” by the compromise brokered this week.
“I guess you have to look at it this way,” said Daryl Eames, of the New Hampshire Cannabis Association. “We could spend the next two decades trying to fix this, or we could spend the next two, four, six years trying to get something right. For us, we don’t see it as a net gain either way.”
