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Marijuana (Decriminalization and Legalization)
HB 1633 Update
Alert:
Defend the Common Good – Help to Stop Legalization of Marijuana (HB 1633)
HB 1633 is a bill to legalize marijuana. The Diocese of Manchester opposes this bill because, in our view, legalizing marijuana would be harmful to the common good of New Hampshire. The principle of the common good is a cornerstone of Catholic Social Teaching and of the state and federal constitutions as well. We have submitted written and oral testimony to register our opposition to HB 1633. This bill is opposed by New Hampshire law enforcement and by advocates for young people, among many others.
What Can You Do?
The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on HB 1633 as early as May 7, and the bill will be voted on by the full Senate on May 16 or May 23.
If you have not yet done so, please call or email your state senator and ask them to vote against HB 1633. To find out who your senator is, visit:
The New Hampshire State Senate
Marijuana represents a significant part of substance abuse in the United States and adversely affects the health of many Americans. The widespread use and abuse of marijuana, particularly by young people under the age of eighteen, is steadily increasing while scientific evidence clearly links its long-term damaging effects on brain development.
The Catholic Church teaches that life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God and that we must take reasonable care of them. Catechism of the Catholic Church note 2288. “The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense.” Catechism at note 2291.
For these reasons, the Diocese of Manchester has urged state legislators to reject efforts to legalize marijuana.
Opposing the legalization of marijuana (Bob Dunn testimony)
Testimony:
HB 1633 - Legalization of Marijuana - January 17, 2024
HB 639 - Legalization of Marijuana - April 20, 2023
HB 639 - Legalization of Marijuana - January 24, 2023
HB 1598 - Legalization of Marijuana - April 20, 2022
HB 1598 Legalization of Marijuana - February 25, 2022
HB 1663 Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis - February 12, 2020
HB 481 Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis – February 5, 2019
Resources:
"Behavioral Health Trends in the United States: Results from the 2014 Survey on Drug Use and Health." Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2015.
Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, "The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado, The Impact" Volume 4, September 2016.
