cannabisnews.com: Panel Backs Softer Marijuana Penalty





Panel Backs Softer Marijuana Penalty
Posted by CN Staff on February 15, 2008 at 06:51:10 PT
By Tom Fahey, State House Bureau Chief 
Source: Union Leader
Concord, NH -- A House subcommittee yesterday approved a bill to reduce the consequences of possessing small amounts of marijuana.The Criminal Justice and Public Safety subcommittee voted 3-1 to reduce to a violation, punishable by a $200 fine, possession of less than one-quarter ounce of marijuana. It is not clear when the full committee will vote on the bill.
Current law makes possession of marijuana a misdemeanor, which carries a fine and criminal record upon conviction. A violation would not mean a record, Rep. David Welch, R-Kingston, said."Young folks who aren't always making intelligent choices could screw up their chances at a Pell Grant for college later on," under current law, he said. A quarter ounce is the equivalent of seven or eight joints, Welch said, referring to marijuana cigarettes.The subcommittee set a lower limit than the original version of House Bill 1623, which would have decriminalized holding up to one and a quarter ounces. It also corrected a drafting error in the bill that would have removed penalties for selling small amounts of marijuana.Rep. John Tholl, R-Whitefield, who is the Dalton police chief, voted with Welch and Rep. Ellen Nielsen, D-Claremont, for the amended bill. Tholl said possession of a quarter-ounce is "far less onerous that an ounce." He said it's not clear how far the full Criminal Justice committee, with its high percentage of retired law enforcement officers, will view the bill.Matt Simon of the N.H. Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy said he was happy to see the bill advance. Current penalties are "unnecessarily harsh," he said."These representatives have taken an honest look at the facts and they've agreed to support punishments which come closer to fitting the offense." Rep. Delmar Burridge, D-Keene, opposed the bill, sponsored by Reps. Jeffrey Fontas, D-Nashua, Andres Edwards, D-Nashua, and Charles Weed, D-Keene.Source: Union Leader (Manchester, NH)Author: Tom Fahey, State House Bureau Chief Published: February 15, 2008Copyright: 2008 The Union Leader Corp.Contact: opinion UnionLeader.comWebsite: http://www.theunionleader.com/Related Articles: Pot Proposal Simply Acknowledges Realityhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23677.shtmlMarijuana Ban Failing Just as Prohibition Did http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23645.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on February 17, 2008 at 19:07:10 PT
Marijuana Decriminalization Action Alert
 Sunday, February 17, 2008 If you would like to beg some politicians to act in a sane manner, here’s what you can do:The full NH House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee will vote an up-or-down recommendation on marijuana decriminalization as early as THIS TUESDAY.This bill has a decent shot of passing, if there is a public outpouring in favor of it.The number of emails from New Hampshire residents in favor of the bill will make all the difference.(Only) if you live in New Hampshire, PLEASE take one minute of your time RIGHT NOW!Complete Article: http://freekeene.com/2008/02/17/marijuana-decriminalization-action-alert/
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on February 15, 2008 at 10:30:32 PT
the politicians....
are never sharp on details. Just tell them "decrim passed" and that should do it.Maine already has decrim for 1.25 oz. or less. I think legislators in the late 70's had a lot more courage to do the right thing than they do nowadays. Back then a lot of older people were really angry about MJ, not like today's parents who probably used it back in the day.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 15, 2008 at 09:13:32 PT
Sam
That's the attitude!
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on February 15, 2008 at 09:04:33 PT
true
and imagine if VT and NH pass these laws, it could make the legislators in Mass. more receptive to the upcoming decrim referendum (if it passes). Why fight it if a couple of your neighbors have already done it.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 15, 2008 at 09:01:45 PT
Sam
Remember though that tiny steps are better then no steps.
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Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on February 15, 2008 at 08:54:09 PT
quarter ounce
Sheesh, I guess it's better than nothing. Part of watching these clumsy attempts at reform is frightening becuase you realize the govt. acts in the same way to solve other problems. Basically, they're cowards that are terrified of moving off the status quo, they'll take tiny, pandering steps that don't really solve any problems.  Look at Vermont, which set out to correct a ridiculous problem (Cannabis being criminal while alchohol & tobacco are not) and ended up added another layer of cost & complication into the codes. 
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