Editorial | Decriminalization the right move for New Hampshire
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Op-Ed
The New Hampshire House of Representatives' recent passing of Bill 1623, which would decriminalize the possession of a quarter-ounce of marijuana or less, is a logical - if controversial - decision, and one that the Daily supports.
New Hampshire would be the 13th state to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Under current New Hampshire law, possession of a quarter-ounce of marijuana is punishable by a $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail - a punishment that supporters of the bill say is too harsh.
They are right. If the bill passes, possession of the same amount would be punishable by a $200 fine and lead to no criminal charges. Transport or sale of the drug would still be a criminal offense.
The main argument of the bill's supporters relates directly to college students: The current law prevents students with drug convictions from receiving federal financial aid. Marijuana has many harmful effects and can lead to damaging and even deadly behaviors, and the government certainly should not encourage its use. But it is a fact of life that many young people choose to experiment with the drug, and their youthful indiscretions should not prevent them from being able to receive an education.
Bill 1623 offers a happy medium between legalization and criminalization. While marijuana should not be without regulation, it simply does not make sense to punish people for the rest of their lives by slapping them with criminal records for a non-violent and usually non-lethal activity.
Besides the educational benefits, Bill 1623 also makes financial sense. Overcrowding in jails is a serious problem, and keeping people in prison is an extremely expensive process. Taxpayer money could be put to far better uses than locking up a college student caught with a joint in his pocket.
Sadly, it is doubtful that decriminalization in New Hampshire will actually occur. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Foster (D-Nashua) has stated that the Senate will defeat the bill, and Governor John Lynch's spokesman announced that the bill will be vetoed if it reaches the governor's office.
It is unfortunate that those against the bill seem to think that it supports or promotes marijuana. Decriminalization is not the same as legalization. Marijuana use in small amounts would still be illegal - however, its penalty would be far more appropriate in comparison to the offense.
The bill does not promote marijuana use. It promotes higher education, a goal that the government should be doing all it can to support.
New Hampshire would be the 13th state to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Under current New Hampshire law, possession of a quarter-ounce of marijuana is punishable by a $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail - a punishment that supporters of the bill say is too harsh.
They are right. If the bill passes, possession of the same amount would be punishable by a $200 fine and lead to no criminal charges. Transport or sale of the drug would still be a criminal offense.
The main argument of the bill's supporters relates directly to college students: The current law prevents students with drug convictions from receiving federal financial aid. Marijuana has many harmful effects and can lead to damaging and even deadly behaviors, and the government certainly should not encourage its use. But it is a fact of life that many young people choose to experiment with the drug, and their youthful indiscretions should not prevent them from being able to receive an education.
Bill 1623 offers a happy medium between legalization and criminalization. While marijuana should not be without regulation, it simply does not make sense to punish people for the rest of their lives by slapping them with criminal records for a non-violent and usually non-lethal activity.
Besides the educational benefits, Bill 1623 also makes financial sense. Overcrowding in jails is a serious problem, and keeping people in prison is an extremely expensive process. Taxpayer money could be put to far better uses than locking up a college student caught with a joint in his pocket.
Sadly, it is doubtful that decriminalization in New Hampshire will actually occur. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Foster (D-Nashua) has stated that the Senate will defeat the bill, and Governor John Lynch's spokesman announced that the bill will be vetoed if it reaches the governor's office.
It is unfortunate that those against the bill seem to think that it supports or promotes marijuana. Decriminalization is not the same as legalization. Marijuana use in small amounts would still be illegal - however, its penalty would be far more appropriate in comparison to the offense.
The bill does not promote marijuana use. It promotes higher education, a goal that the government should be doing all it can to support.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Enlightened student
posted 3/31/08 @ 9:11 AM EST
I am in full support of any efforts to make Mary more legal, but I think it is disgusting that the argument needs to be focused on college students. Why is it that minorities and the poor can be persecuted by a legal system that can easily place them in jail where they are essentially doomed to be a part of the "system" for the rest of their lives without anyone considering it an issue? It is sad to see that only after people realize that the same laws used to keep down the lower classes can also be applied to middle class students do they work to affect change. (Continued…)
NNeit
posted 3/31/08 @ 11:13 AM EST
Cannabis is not a sanctioned drug, alcohol or tobacco. Students like many adults will use cannabis. They see the law as unjust. I am not advocating breaking the law. (Continued…)
John Chase
posted 3/31/08 @ 4:44 PM EST
The common wisdom that decriminalization "offers a happy medium between legalization and criminalization." is incorrect.
I agree with the motives of drug policy reformers, but I remember my grandparents talking about the lawlessness and corruption of the 1920s, when we arrested bootleggers but not drinkers. (Continued…)
David
posted 3/31/08 @ 6:35 PM EST
[QUOTE id="926ed5ad-9037-48fb-b13b-47c6fd03eef2"]I am in full support of any efforts to make Mary more legal, but I think it is disgusting that the argument needs to be focused on college students. (Continued…)
Antonio
posted 4/16/08 @ 4:14 AM EST
Number one, Marijuana is not "damaging". At least not in the way intended here. In a very recent study it was listed as number 13 on a "harmfulness" scale in which alcohol was somewhere around number 5. (Continued…)
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