Marijuana decriminalization in 2016?

So far at least five state Representatives have requested 2016 bills to decriminalize or legalize marijuana in New Hampshire.

Last spring a marijuana decriminalization bill passed the New Hampshire House with a veto-proof majority.  The bill stalled in the Senate, despite reports that Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) was open to signing the bill.

After analyzing the Senators' voting records and issue positions, here are where we think the Senators stand:

 

 Yes, Decriminalize

 

Jeff Woodburn (Democrat District 1)

When Sen. Woodburn took our 2014 survey he said, "We should revise the present law on marijuana to make it less punitive."  He voted in favor of decriminalizing marijuana in 2015.

David Watters (Democrat District 4)

Sen. Watters may have voted against decriminalization in 2010 and 2012, but he voted in favor of decriminalization in 2015.  He also wrote on his 2014 LFDA survey, "We should revise the present law on marijuana to make it less punitive."

David Pierce (Democrat District 5)

Sen. Pierce has voted in favor of marijuana decriminalization more than once.  

Molly Kelly (Democrat District 10)

Sen. Kelly voted in favor of marijuana decriminalization in 2015.

Bette Lasky (Democrat District 13)

Sen. Lasky also voted for marijuana decriminalization in 2015.

Dan Feltes (Democrat District 15)

Sen. Feltes joined many other Senate Democrats to support decriminalization in 2015.

John Reagan (Republican District 17)

Sen. Reagan voted for marijuana decriminalization in 2010, 2012, and 2015.

Donna Soucy (Democrat District 18)

Sen. Soucy voted for the 2015 marijuana decriminalization bill.

Lou D'Allesandro (Democrat District 20)

On the 2014 LFDA survey Sen. D'Allesandro wrote, "We should revise the present law on marijuana to make it less punitive."  He voted to move marijuana decriminalization forward in 2015.

Martha Fuller-Clark (Democrat District 21)

On the 2014 LFDA issue survey, Sen. Fuller-Clark wrote, "The possession of small quantities of marijuana should not be a crime."  She also voted to move marijuana decriminalization forward in 2015.

 

 On the Fence

 

Jeb Bradley (Republican District 3)

When Sen. Bradley took our 2014 survey he said, "We should revise the present law on marijuana to make it less punitive." He also worked on last year's compromise marijuana decriminalization bill.  However, Sen. Bradley ultimately joined with most of his fellow Republicans to block the 2015 marijuana decriminalization bill.

Andrew Hosmer (Democrat District 7)

Sen. Hosmer wrote on his 2014 LFDA survey, "We should revise the present law on marijuana possession to make it less punitive. At this time I do not support the de-crim of marijuana, but I would focus on rehabilitation."  He initially voted against decriminalization in 2015, but also voted in favor of an amendment to the bill that would have helped the bill pass.

Jerry Little (Republican District 8)

On his 2014 LFDA survey Sen. Little wrote, "As with many of these questions, the devil is in the details, and the answer is not as simple as checking one of the three choices offered. I would like us to consider decriminalizing possession of small quantities of marijuana, but need to know what a 'small quantity' is. How many violations are allowed? Will penalties increase for repeat offenders? Are penalties greater or less for minors? How will we handle dealers who modify their business plans to fall under the threshold to avoid stiffer penalties?"  He voted against decriminalization in 2015, but his survey response indicates he is open to a decriminalization bill.

Andy Sanborn (Republican District 9)

Sen. Sanborn voted to consider marijuana decriminalization in 2015, but ultimately joined with fellow Republicans to kill an amendment that would have paved the way for decriminalization.

Kevin Avard (Republican District 12)

Sen. Avard has an interesting take on marijuana decriminalization.  On our 2014 LFDA survey he wrote, "this question should be left to the people to decide....as in fact that we are still under prohibition with alcohol and it being a state controlled substance . we should have a ballot aniciative asking the people to vote on it. [sic]"  He voted to consider decriminalization in 2012 and 2015, but ultimately joined with fellow Republicans to kill an amendment that would have paved the way for decriminalization in 2015.

Regina Birdsell (Republican District 19)

Sen. Birdsell voted to consider the 2015 marijuana decriminalization bill, but ultimately joined with Republicans to kill a key amendment to that bill.  She also voted against decriminalization in 2014.

Nancy Stiles (Republican District 24)

On the 2014 LFDA survey Sen. Stiles wrote, "We should revise the present law on marijuana possession to make it less punitive."  She also voted to consider the 2015 marijuana decriminalization bill, before joining with other Republicans to defeat an amendment that would have moved the bill forward.

 

 No, Don't Decriminalize

 

Jeanie Forrester (Republican District 2)

Sen. Forrester was a vocal opponent of marijuana decriminalization in 2015.  She questioned the logic of decriminalizing marijuana after increasing funding for substance abuse treatment in the state budget.

Sam Cataldo (Republican District 6)

Sen. Cataldo voted against decriminalization in 2012 and 2015.  On his 2014 LFDA survey he wrote, "The present law on marijuana should remain unchanged."

Gary Daniels (Republican District 11)

Sen. Daniels voted against decriminalization in 2015, 2014, 2012, and 2010, and he spoke against marijuana decriminalization on the Senate floor last year.

Sharon Carson (Republican District 14)

Sen. Carson spoke against marijuana decriminalization on the Senate floor in 2015, and helped defeat the amendment that would have paved the way for decriminalization.

David Boutin (Republican District 16)

Sen. Boutin was another Senator to speak against marijuana decriminalization in 2015.  Sen. Boutin is on record against decriminalization as far back as 2010, when he took the LFDA issue survey.

Chuck Morse (Republican District 22)

Sen. Morse voted against marijuana decriminalization in 2015.

Russell Prescott (Republican District 23)

On the 2014 LFDA survey Sen. Prescott wrote, "We should revise the present law on marijuana possession to make it less punitive."  However, he voted against marijuana decriminalization in 2015.