LEBANON, N.H. (WCAX) – Lawmakers in New Hampshire are once again moving forward with a plan to legalize the retail sales of marijuana.
In a 239-141 vote, state representatives approved an amended bill that would allow for 15 independently run cannabis stores. The New Hampshire Liquor Commission would have oversight over the stores, and 65% of the revenue generated from sales would be used to offset education funding.
Similar attempts to legalize retail cannabis in New Hampshire have passed through the House only to die in the Senate.
“What we have tried to do this time is include industry, government, law enforcement– basically folks that have been traditionally prohibitionists, and I think there has been more listening and more consensus-building than ever before,” said Tim Egan of the New Hampshire Cannabis Trade Association.
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has been skeptical of retail cannabis sales in the past. However, supporters of the current bill say it meets all of the criteria and addresses all the concerns laid out by the governor.
