Cannabis

I get questions about Cannabis Legalization all the time.

When I was in the legislature I did vote to decriminalize marijuana (HB640 2017, SB 496 2016 and HB 618 2015) and to expand use of Medical Marijuana to include chronic pain (HB 157 2017).

I did vote against home growing of Marijuana because it was restrictive and gave the government too much control and access to a person’s home (HB 593 2015). https://bills.nhliberty.org/bills/2015/HB593

I am not sure why liberty minded people are willing to allow the government to dictate what and how they grow cannabis or allow them into their homes to count plants.

I also don’t understand the small government Republicans who are willing to allow the government to control and tax this product. Government sales also increases the black market on products.

I do believe that adults should be allowed to grow cannabis for personal use without government interference. I do not believe people should be imprisoned for Cannabis use or possession of small amounts. That being said, the same laws should apply for DUI as they do for alcohol use.

There is a cost to taxpayers and citizens from legalization done incorrectly. From the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas: We find moderate economic gains accompanied by some social costs. Post-legalization, average state income grew by 3 percent, house prices by 6 percent, and population by 2 percent. However, substance use disorders increased by 17 percent, chronic homelessness increased by 35 percent, and arrests increased by 13 percent.