A New Hampshire Senate legislative committee this week voted to recommend that the full chamber reject a cannabis legalization bill approved by the House of Representatives last month. The Senate Judiciary Committee marked the bill as "inexpedient to legislate" (ITL) at a hearing on Tuesday, likely killing the measure in the Senate, according to a report from online cannabis news source Marijuana Moment.
The measure, HB 75 from Republican state Rep. Kevin Verville, will still move to the Senate floor for a vote. The chamber would then be able to approve the bill or follow the Judiciary Committee's recommendation to kill the legislation.
The cannabis legalization bill was approved by the New Hampshire House of Representatives via a voice vote in February. If passed, the bill would remove criminal penalties for some offenses related to possessing and using cannabis by adults aged 21 and older. The measure would not create a regulated cannabis industry or legalize sales of recreational marijuana. Public consumption of cannabis would remain illegal under the legislation.
Cannabis would still be illegal for those under the age of 21. Those under age 21 caught using or possessing marijuana would be guilty of a violation. Minors under age 18 found to be possessing or using cannabis would be referred for substance use disorders screening.
Read more at Forbes