Commercial Pot Legalization Defeated for the Second Consecutive Year in the Granite State
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 11, 2023 | Media Contact: Bob Driscoll bob@learnaboutsam.org |
(CONCORD, NH) – The New Hampshire State Senate today firmly rejected Big Marijuana, Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol’s push to create another addiction-for-profit industry in the state. Following the defeat of H.B. 639, Dr. Kevin Sabet, President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) and a former three-time White House drug policy advisor, released the following statement:
“Today is a great day for public health and safety and for the people of the Granite State. Our coalition of parents, medical professionals, and law enforcement officials spoke out and made it clear they did not want more drugs in their communities. By rejecting Big Marijuana and standing firm against creating another addiction-for-profit industry, New Hampshire has shown itself a beacon for science-based public policy that doesn’t put profits over people.
“I want to thank Senate President Jeb Bradley, Senate Judiciary Chair Sharon Carson, and Senator Lou D’Allesandro for their leadership on this important issue,” Sabet said.
Celeste Clark, a member of SAM New Hampshire’s organizing committee and the Director of the Raymond Coalition For Youth, also applauded the Legislators for rejecting full-scale legalization. “As someone who works day in and day out with young people, especially those grappling with substance abuse, today is a very encouraging day. At a time when young people face tremendous societal pressures, we can’t afford to have Big Marijuana and Big Tobacco bombarding them with high-potency THC products known to have troubling, long-term mental health consequences. The important takeaway is that this is not inevitable, and when good people who care speak up and share factual information on the dangers associated with this drug we can prevail. I would especially like to thank Senators Bill Gannon, Regina Birdsell and Sharon Carson for their steadfast opposition to this bill,” Clark said.