OPINION: Legalizing Marijuana; Is it Time for New Hampshire to hop on the Bandwagon?

Fiona Nolan

She/Her

Contributor

10/19/24

As November approaches and New Hampshire gears up for the upcoming elections, Republicans and Democrats remain split on the nearly decade-long debate: legalizing marijuana. So far, New Hampshire has held strong in its resistance while the rest of New England has embraced the schedule-one drug.

In June of this year, the House tabled a compromise bill from the Senate that proposed the legalized use of cannabis for anyone 21 and older, as well as allowing the creation of 15 retail locations. The catch to House Bill 1633, which halted any hope of ending the discussion before the next gubernatorial election, is that all locations would have to be overseen by the state. 

Throughout his term as Governor, Republican Chris Sununu pushed for a model similar to the liquor store franchise, which would require businesses to buy licenses to sell cannabis, as well as allow the Liquor Commission full control over advertising and store layout.

Although Sununu seemed to have found some middle ground amidst pressure from Democrats and surrounding states, those in favor of legalization remain frustrated with Sununu’s persistent demand for heavy government oversight on the cultivation and sale of marijuana. For a state whose citizens pride themselves on the “Live Free or Die” motto, government involvement  would be a direct contradiction of Granite State values. 

However, as Sununu’s term comes to a close, new players in the legalization arena have taken their positions. 

The remaining Democratic candidate, Joyce Craig, has introduced a more libertarian model supporting legalization. Rather than encouraging state overwatch, Craig hopes permitting local farmers and sellers would foster small business entrepreneurship. Craig believes that tax revenue from cannabis sales could fund pressing social issues in the state, such as affordable housing and public education. 

During the Democratic debate in September, the former Manchester mayor left voters with little doubt about her sense of urgency , stating that it is “important legislation that needs to pass” and that she “is not going to just wait for something” to come to her desk. 

Craig’s main competitor, Republican Candidate Kelly Ayotte, has openly supported prohibition, stating that Craig “can smoke her way to a balanced budget”, but she plans “to do it the old-fashioned way.” In a CloseUp interview, the Sununu-endorsed candidate stated that if the  current governor does not pass a bill that legalizes marijuana, she won’t either. 

Ayotte’s main concern with legalization is the fentanyl crisis, which is a substantial concern amongst the New Hampshire legislature and citizens. The widespread perception amongst prohibition supporters is that legalizing cannabis will fuel one of the Granite State’s greatest threats, which has led to the daunting statistic of 36 overdoses per 100,000 citizens. 

While there is no clear link  between legalizing marijuana and an increase in overdoses  among states that have lifted prohibition, the possible consequences have caused fear amongst locals. 

The tension surrounding the gubernatorial elections will continue to rise as October commences. New Hampshire voters–young adults especially–must stay educated on important legislation that will have a lasting effect on our local economy and quality of life. Recreational use of marijuana, whether you participate or not, is a discussion that requires engagement from all of us.  

Regardless of how you choose to vote, the most important thing is this: smoke responsibly, Plymouth State.

Fiona Nolan is a ’25 Criminal Justice undergraduate.