Governor Maggie Hassan, during her State of the State Address, criticized efforts to legalize marijuana. Hassan expressed concerns about New Hampshire’s current drug problem.
Governor Hassan told the joint session that legalizing marijuana would undermine public health.
But, she opened the door to softening some of the criminal laws affecting young drug users.
“I do not believe that a young person with a substance problem should end up in jail, prison or with a criminal record on their first offense.”
Hassan said she would support a review of the criminal code to emphasize treatment. She noted that while the state has some of the highest drug abuse rates, it ranks near the bottom in offering access to treatment.
