Politics & Government

House Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana

Nashua state reps take to the House floor to argue for and against the bill.

The state House of Representatives voted 214-115 on Thursday to pass a bill to decriminalize possession of up to one quarter of an ounce of marijuana.

Rep. Linda Harriott-Gathright (D-Nashua) lost a floor fight over the issue. Bringing the bill to the House on behalf of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, which recommended the House kill the bill, she argued that marijuana did have addictive properties and short- and long- term health effects. 

"It's really not something to be ignored," she said.

Find out what's happening in Nashuawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rep. Laura Pantelakos (D-Portsmouth) also urged House members to reject the bill. "Marijuana is a gateway drug to harder drugs," she said.

As introduced, the bill would have decriminalized up to an ounce of marijuana.

Find out what's happening in Nashuawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A motion to kill the bill failed 136-193. Rep. Joel Winters (D-Nashua) then moved an amendment for the less than a quarter of an ounce. The final vote to pass the amended bill was 214 to 115.

As amended, the bill provides that any person "who possesses 1/4 of an ounce of marijuana or less shall be guilty of a violation and shall be subject to a fine of up to $200."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here