New Hampshire’s Senate has passed legislation to legalize recreational marijuana through a third and final reading, marking the first time a Republican-led state senate has approved such a measure.
House Bill 1633 was passed through the Senate today with a vote of 14 to 10. The House of Representatives has already passed the measure with an overwhelming 239 to 136 vote. However, HB 1633 will need to go back to the House for a final vote of concurrence due to amendments made in the Senate. Governor Chris Sununu has indicated he will sign the bill into law if the House maintains the Senate’s changes.
If the House disagrees with the Senate’s amendments, a conference committee consisting of members from both chambers will be established to reach a consensus.
If enacted into law, HB 1633 will allow those 21 and older to possess and use up to two ounces of marijuana, 10 grams of marijuana concentrates, marijuana products containing no more than 2,000 milligrams of THC. It would establish a system of licensed and regulated marijuana retail outlets, with no more than 15 allowed throughout the state, and no more than one per municipality. Marijuana sales would be taxed t 10%.
Initially the measure would have set the possession limit for dried marijuana at four ounces, but the Senate Finance Committee lowered the limit to two ounces.
If HB 1633 becomes law, New Hampshire will become the 25th state to legalize recreational marijuana, all within the last 12 years.
The Senate’s approval of House Bill 1633 comes just days after the DEA published their proposal to reschedule marijuana in the Federal Register, officially launching the legally required 60-day public comment period.
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