Penalties for public use of marijuana?
A bill being considered by the legislature this year, HB 1815, would create a new offense for consuming or displaying marijuana in public. It would be a misdemeanor charge, which does go on a criminal record, and entail a minimum fine of $350 (but not jail time). Read more about this issue.
Should NH make it a criminal offense—subject to a fine, but not jail time—to display or consume any quantity of marijuana in public?
Discussion held on Citizens Count NH website and Facebook page January 11, 2018
No: 287 citizens were against making it a criminal offense to consume marijuana in public.
- “No, it shouldn't be a criminal offense, but smoking of any kind in public should be a fine.”
- “I don't even like weed and still say no fine, no jail. Just legalize it already.”
- “No… If you can smoke tobacco in the park, you should be able to do the same with weed.”
Yes: 43 citizens were in favor of making it a criminal offense to consume marijuana in public.
- “A lot of non-smokers don’t want to smell it and they don’t want their kids seeing it. That’s a completely reasonable request.”
- “If you want to do your weed at home, that’s your choice. Out in public, it’s my right (or anybody else’s right) not to want to see you indulge.”
- “Just like cigarettes, no one should be forced to breathe that in. No pot in public.”
Other: 41 citizens addressed their comments to related questions and issues.
Most of these individuals talked about the degree to which pain contracts are already in use in New Hampshire:
- General marijuana regulations: “Legalize it across the board, like alcohol - that's my opinion.”
- Current legal status: “Is it not a crime now to consume it in public?”
- Jurisdiction: “Until the federal government changes the controlled substance status of marijuana, it doesn't matter what New Hampshire does.”
*Editor selection of actual participant quotes.