The debate over legalizing cannabis for recreational use continues in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Attempts have failed over the past decade, and today, New Hampshire is the only New England state without legal marijuana.
So for the big question of May, we ask you: Should recreational marijuana be legalized? And if so, what should it be like?
This is what some of you said:
Jim Riddle – Hillsborough, New Hampshire: I have a small specialty seed business called Lambs Breath Seeds. I am also on the board of directors of the New Hampshire Cannabis Association. And yes, adult-use cannabis should be legal in New Hampshire. I mean, we’re losing millions of dollars a year to neighboring states, both in economic activity and tax revenue. And that tax revenue could actually be used to help reduce property taxes here in New Hampshire.
Cannabis legalization should be rigorously controlled by the State without putting the State directly into the cannabis business by creating a State-run cannabis cartel. It must be done in a way that maximizes opportunities for Granite State farmers and businesses. It should include mandatory product testing for safety and potency. Billboards and advertising aimed at children should be banned.
Caroline Judd – Concord, New Hampshire: I am against the legalization of recreational marijuana. I think policymakers really need to look at all the effects it has. It is not a benign substance. Whether the medical use is under the care of a doctor is another matter, but thinking that it is a recreational activity is not good. The other thing is that I feel like New Hampshire is a family-friendly state, and it’s great to be on vacation and not smell like people smoking everywhere. It is very unpleasant for the people around. We just don’t need it in this state.
Michael Farrington – Conway, NH: Well, it should be recreational. It should have been legal a long, long time ago. In fact, I have been a marijuana smoker for 59 years. And I know that he has never hurt me. It is much less destructive than alcohol. I don’t know, alcohol is totally legal and they keep making marijuana something horrible when it is very useful for a lot of people. For me it’s better than a glass of wine at night. I don’t understand why our politicians don’t do the will of the people.
Todd Brede – New Hampshire: I am a psychologist and neuropsychologist. The state government is supposed to have the role of protecting the welfare and well-being of its citizens. But we have developed this system where they now become dependent on the money they make selling tobacco, alcohol and gambling. And marijuana is not the harmless drug they want you to think it is. In my line of work, I see the impact on people every day, how it affects relationships. Spouses complain to me that my spouse is not interested in doing anything. They are more depressed. They are apathetic. They don’t care that much.
So I believe that by legalizing marijuana, the State would make it possible for thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of its citizens to engage in behavior they would not otherwise engage in. But now they think it’s safe because it’s legal. I would truly implore our legislators and citizens to allow New Hampshire to remain an island of sanity in this ocean of addiction that is encroaching upon us.
Marcus Ford – Franklin, New Hampshire: I think New Hampshire absolutely needs to legalize marijuana. The state of Massachusetts generates more than $220 million in tax revenue (from marijuana sales) annually. I know we don’t have a population to match that number, but that money can be used for absolutely anything we want, like property taxes. It’s almost like playing SimCity with the money trick.
Below is an additional abbreviated written response:
Gretchen Ziegler: Absolutely NO, we should not approve recreational marijuana until there is a viable way to get those who smoke or allow those in their vehicles to smoke while the vehicle is moving to get them off the road. I am very allergic to marijuana smoke and find that New Hampshire has become almost as bad as Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine with marijuana smoke coming from moving vehicles.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.