New Hampshire Governor to Sign Measure to Decriminalize Marijuana

New Hampshire Governor to Sign Measure to Decriminalize Marijuana

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu says he will sign into law a bill that decriminalizes cannabis.

Once signed into law, House Bill 640 will decriminalize the possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana, reducing the charge from an arrestable misdemeanor as it is today, to a simple civil infraction punishable by a fine of $100 for a first or second offense. A third offense within three years of the initial offense will result in a fine of $300, and a fourth offense within three years of the original offense can result in a misdemeanor charge, but no arrest or jail time.

“I want to thank the Legislature for passing common sense marijuana reform,” Governor Chris Sununu (R) said in a statement. “I look forward to signing House Bill 640 into law.”

The proposal was passed by the House of Representatives with a 316 to 38 vote, and passed the Senate with a vote of 17 to 6.

According to polling released last year by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, 72% of New Hampshire adults support decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana.