Marijuana related legislative bills 2012

[free libertarian]

Several marijuana related "legalization" bills will be heard in the upcoming legislative session this winter. 
This is the place to discuss what's going on, when, where etc.  There are several bills on the table ranging from
decriminalization, medical marijuana, to (kinda sorta) legalization.  The reason I say "kinda sorta" legalization is I beleive the bill considering "legalization"  would include some taxation and give the state an element of control.  I hope to post dates and times of the upcoming hearings....but if anybody gets that info. before me from a reliable source feel free to put it here.

While there has been some friendly disagreement with "the right way" to do cannabis activism in the past, I'll be the first to commend everybody for working towards the goal of peaceful self ownership.  Do what you think will work.   Stay tuned.

[KBCraig]

Thanks, Bob. I'll be watching.

[free libertarian]

                                 TWO BILLS COMING UP!


On Thursday February 2nd 2012 at  1:00 pm in the Legislative Office building (right behind the Capitol building)  room 204 there will be  a public hearing on decriminalizing possession of marijuana (under one ounce)  HB- 1526

Same place at 1:30 a hearing regarding exempting cultivating marijuana from manufacturing and the controlled drug act will be heard (well duh you don't manufacture a plant now do you?)  HB-1527     

Both of these bills are important....even if you don't intend to testify a show of support is a good thing.  See you there!

[free libertarian]

Here's another one ------ it's Wednesday January 25th !!!

This is a bill to "legalize and tax" marijuana in NH

http://nhcommonsense.org/blog/bills_filed_hearings_scheduled

[free libertarian]

Just being the friendly reminder guy here...there will be a public hearing for a "tax and legalize"  marijuana bill .  Yes I know that is slightly oxymoronic, but c'mon out anyway!

WEDNESDAY January 25th at 11:00 am room 204 Legislative Office Building (where they make the sausage)

[free libertarian]

"Tax and Regulate Marijuana bill"

Yesterday many people spoke in favor of this bill.  Among the speakers favoring passage were several State Reps, the usual cast of Cannabis freedom advocates, Rick Van Wickler (Chesire County Jail Warden and a member of L.E.A.P.) and Patricia Smith a victim of the war on peaceful people. 'Tricia gave a tearful account of her victimization.

As usual the prohibitionists trotted out a Chief of Police spouting 30 year old lies and calling them "facts", the Attorney General's office sent their propagandist and there was one sorely misinformed State Rep.  crying chaos will result.  In other words...same tired B.S. as past years.

Of course nobody from the public was opposed to this bill or attended to voice concern that pot could have some form of legalization.
The only opposition came from people with a financial interest in continuing to harm others and steal their property.

It's amazing how little people really know about the law, the Constitution (they swore to uphold it....not me) and the particulars of the substance; Cannabis.  Not to mention have any concept what liberty is.

Anyhow it looks like there are several State Reps who favor this bill and they sit on this committee.  Whether it will be cast aside yet in the sausage making process remains to be seen.  If the Committee passes it, it could then go to the house of Representatives for a vote....don't hold your breath though....but maybe....

Special thanks to all of the people who came and spoke.  Among all the great testimony, Rick Van Wickler despite his being a jail warden, did an excellent job  as did Representative Tim Comerford and really so did the rest of us, but hey gotta be modest right? 

Free Concord and Biker Bill filmed, I'm guessing video will be out there soon.

NEXT WEEK  THERE ARE MORE HEARINGS....AHEM.

[free libertarian]

Video is up over at Biker Bills blog,  Adventures in the free state .  Thanks for filming the whole ordeal Bill!

NH Again Reconsiders Making Money Off NOT Harming Citizens

[free libertarian]

Friendly reminder -  2/2/12 TWO hearings on Cannabis related bills in Concord room 204 Legislative office building beginning at 1:00 pm.  Watch Pinocchio's nose grow, hear tales of "the children" and rationalizations why adults cannot own their bodies!  Don't miss it!

[free libertarian]

Once again Garrett from Free Concord and Biker Bill took video of the hearings.  Many thanks to them.

The prohibitionists trotted out "the children".  One of the legislators, an older lady said, "I just have one question...what's cannabis" ? Not kidding there.  Most of the legislators have no familiarity with the penalties that the state currently imposes, IMHO they can't be bothered with reading laws and boring stuff like that either. 

Previous to the Cannabis (that's weed, dope, pot, ganja to those who grew up during the Reefer madness craze) related bills we got to hear and give testimony on sobriety checkpoints and why it was okay to violate our rights "a little bit" to protect us from ourselves.  it was a long day...

Here's a link to the entire dog and pony show from 2/2/12....http://bikerbillnh.blogspot.com/2012/02/farming-and-fabricating-and-decrim-oh.html

[mackler]

Previous to the Cannabis (that's weed, dope, pot, ganja to those who grew up during the Reefer madness craze) related bills we got to hear and give testimony on sobriety checkpoints and why it was okay to violate our rights "a little bit" to protect us from ourselves.  it was a long day...

Do the bills relate to all species of cannabis or only cannabis sativa?

[jerry]

Do the bills relate to all species of cannabis or only cannabis sativa?

Does it matter?  According to Wikipedia:

In the 1970s, the taxonomic classification of Cannabis took on added significance in North America. Laws prohibiting Cannabis in the United States and Canada specifically named products of C. sativa as prohibited materials. Enterprising attorneys for the defense in a few drug busts argued that the seized Cannabis material may not have been C. sativa, and was therefore not prohibited by law. Attorneys on both sides recruited botanists to provide expert testimony. Among those testifying for the prosecution was Dr. Ernest Small, while Dr. Richard E. Schultes and others testified for the defense. The botanists engaged in heated debate (outside of court), and both camps impugned the other's integrity.[30][31] The defense attorneys were not often successful in winning their case, because the intent of the law was clear.[38]

as well as:
Technically and legally, all cannabis, whether rope or dope, is classified as Cannabis sativa. Regardless of origin, all cannabis is considered Cannabis sativa (C sativa) under international law. However, according to Hemp Diseases and Pests, Dr. J. M. McPartland, R. C. Clarke, and D. P. Watson, CAB International, Cannabis sativa can be further classified as: Cannabis sativa (= C sativa var. sativa), Cannabis indica (= C. sativa var. indica), Cannabis ruderalis (= C sativa var. spondanea), Cannabis afghanica (= C sativa var. afghanica). Each has distinct growth patterns, look, smell, taste, etc.

So all cannabis is cannabis sativa, whether the indica variety or the sativa variety.

What I want to see is how they will handle it when somebody inserts the genes for THC production in a dandelion.

[SeanD]

Forget dandelion.  Put a THC gene in lettuce and I will start eating salad again.

[free libertarian]

While we wait for the "live free or die" State to uh re-legalize cannabis, here's what's happening in Maine


http://www.freedomisgreen.com/interview-maine-rep-diane-russell-works-to-legalize-marijuana/

Activity in other states always makes me more determined to gain freedom here.

[free libertarian]

House committee passes watered down decrim bill....

http://nhcommonsense.org/blog/house_committee_approves_bill_reducing_possession_penalties

[blackie]

While we wait for the "live free or die" State to uh re-legalize cannabis, here's what's happening in Maine


http://www.freedomisgreen.com/interview-maine-rep-diane-russell-works-to-legalize-marijuana/

That was last year, but it didn't go anywhere.

This passed last year in Maine:
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/HP095101.asp

It eliminates a requirement that mmj patients register with the state.

Activity in other states always makes me more determined to gain freedom here.

I moved to Maine for more personal freedom.

Are you going to the Maine Medical Cannabis Expo 2012 April 14-15, 2012 Augusta Civic Center?

I am considering going to the 3rd Annual Treating Yourself Expo on May 25 – 27, 2012 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre http://www.treatingyourselfexpo.com/