Gov. Phil Scott said Tuesday he did not recommend language in a Senate bill that would seem to allow Big Marijuana companies to bypass local voters deciding whether marijuana retail stores may operate in their town.
Teachers, tenants and farmers would benefit from bills proposed in the House, and a Senate bill adding to the commercial cannabis law would require more funding for police training and substance abuse prevention, and would reduce licensing fees for minorities, among other proposed changes.
Marijuana advocates are continuing a push to legalize the drug for recreational use in New Hampshire, but the effort faces an unlikely path in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Retail sales will only be allowed in communities that vote to opt-in. In other words: No marijuana retail store can open unless town voters affirmatively decide, at a warned meeting, to allow retail operations.
Governor Phil Scott on Wednesday announced action on a range of bills, including the Legislature’s bill to create a regulated cannabis market in Vermont, which will be allowed to go into law without his signature.
Gov. Phil Scott on Friday signed into law the $7.17 billion 2021 state budget, he said at his regularly scheduled press conference.
In light of the economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic, some members of the New Hampshire Legislature have turned to consideration of the legalization of cannabis.
S.54’s many critics say black youths suffer adversely from substance abuse. Compared to whites they perform poorly in schools. Black unemployment is higher than the national average. Marijuana abuse is positively linked to all three of these adverse outcomes.
The Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education have enacted strict new rules for children waiting for and riding the bus to school. Officials also recommend parents give their kids a ride, or have them walk or bike to school.
Advocates for social justice and organic farming oppose S.54, the retail sales, taxation and regulation of marijuana. Barring major changes in the upcoming special session, it should be scrapped for the year, they say.
“Taxing by price may not be stable, taxing by weight could encourage use of high potency products, and taxing by potency could complicate tax collection and add significant costs to both tax collectors and industry,” Boesen said.