Sununu signs bill decriminalizing possession of pot

The new law takes away the possibility of jail time for possession of up to three quarters of an ounce. (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD, N.H. -- Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill into law Tuesday that will decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in New Hampshire. It will officially take effect in 60 days, making New Hampshire the 22nd state in the nation -- and the last of the New England states -- to eliminate the possibility of jail time for simple marijuana possession.

"The governor deserves credit for his steadfast support of this commonsense reform," said Matt Simon, the Manchester-based New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "Unlike his predecessors, who opposed similar proposals, Gov. Sununu appears to understand that 'Live Free or Die' is more than just a motto on a license plate.

"A lot of credit also goes to the House, which has been passing decriminalization bills since 2008," Simon said. "It is refreshing to see the Senate finally come to an agreement with the House on this issue. This is a big step toward a more sensible marijuana policy for New Hampshire."

HB 640 was introduced by Rep. Renny Cushing and a bipartisan group of co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, where it received overwhelming approval in February (318-36). The Senate amended and approved it on May 11 (17-6), and the House passed the Senate version by a voice vote on June 1.

HB 640 will reduce the penalty for possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor -- currently punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 -- to a civil violation punishable by a $100 fine for a first or second offense and a $300 fine for a third offense within three years of the first offense. A fourth offense within three years of the first offense could be charged as a class B misdemeanor, but there would be no arrest or possibility of jail time.

"There is no good reason to continue arresting and prosecuting people for marijuana possession," Simon said. "Marijuana is objectively less harmful than alcohol, and Granite Staters are ready to see it treated that way. A very strong majority of state residents support ending marijuana prohibition altogether.

"New Hampshire lawmakers should continue to follow their constituents' lead on this issue," Simon said. "Every state in New England is either implementing or strongly considering legislation to regulate marijuana for adult use. It is time for the Legislature to develop a realistic marijuana prohibition exit strategy for New Hampshire."

More than two-thirds of New Hampshire adults (68%) support making marijuana legal, according to a Granite State Poll released last month by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.