Differences in the N.H. House and Senate versions of a marijuana-legalization bill are so significant that the legislation may be doomed, lawmakers said Tuesday.
State Rep. Jonah Wheeler, D-Peterborough, doesn’t think New Hampshire will quickly join the rest of New England in allowing adults to use the drug recreationally.
“In all likelihood, cannabis legalization does not happen this year. I think that’s what people are going to have to come to terms with,” said Wheeler, one of the co-sponsors of House Bill 1633.
On Thursday, the House will consider concurring with the Senate’s version of the bill and sending it to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu for him to consider signing into law.
But they could also non-concur and kill it, or non-concur and send it to a committee of conference composed of lawmakers from each chamber who would try to arrive at a compromise.
Wheeler said the House will likely support creating a committee of conference, but he doesn’t think the panel would be able to resolve differences between the House and the Senate.
“The House voting for a committee of conference is more of a formality than anything else with the Senate being the way it is,” he said.
The Senate passed its bill, 14-10, on May 23, but added legislative language that the House had previously rejected. Several senators argued vehemently against legalization on grounds that it would harm public health and safety.
You can view the whole article at this link Chances of marijuana legalization in NH appear to dim
