A day after New Hampshire legislators rejected the latest attempt to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, Gov. Chris Sununu – a potential Republican presidential candidate – proposed a path forward that is similar to how the state controls liquor sales.
“In the past, I said now is not the time to legalize marijuana in New Hampshire,” Sununu said in a statement.
New Hampshire is the only state in New England that makes it a crime to smoke pot recreationally.
“Knowing that a majority of our residents support legalization, it is reasonable to assume change is inevitable,” Sununu said. “To ignore this reality would be shortsighted and harmful. That is why, with the right policy and framework in place, I stand ready to sign a legalization bill that puts the state of New Hampshire in the driver’s seat, focusing on harm reduction – not profits.”
He proposed that the state regulate recreational marijuana in the same way it controls the sale of wine and spirits. Sununu said that this path “helps to keep substances away from kids by ensuring the state of New Hampshire retains control of marketing, sales, and distribution – eliminating any need for additional taxes.”
Sununu suggested that the goal could be accomplished this legislative session by amending a current bill. Legislative leaders did not immediately comment on his proposal.
The bill that was defeated in the state Senate last…