Committee Recommends Killing NH Pot Decriminalization Bill
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A Senate committee is recommending that the New Hampshire Senate kill a bill that would decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana.
The House-passed bill would make possessing under half an ounce of marijuana punishable by a fine in some cases.
A first offense would be a violation punishable by a $250 fine. The second would be $500. Subsequent offenses would be misdemeanors subject to a year of jail time and a $1,000 fine. Offenders under 21 could also be ordered to take a drug awareness program.
All offenses are currently misdemeanors punishable by up to a $2,000 fine and a year in jail.
Gov. John Lynch has promised to veto the measure.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on the bill Wednesday.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
