New Hampshire lawmakers pass bill to annul pot possession arrests

CONCORD — People convicted for possessing small amounts of marijuana will be able to have their criminal records annulled if a bill passed by the House on Thursday clears the Senate and is signed into law by the governor.

In the most lopsided roll-call vote of Thursday’s session, the House voted 314-24 to pass HB 1477, which allows for the annulment of charges related to possession of three-quarters of an ounce or less.

A new state law decriminalizing possession of that amount of marijuana took effect on Sept. 16, 2017. Any arrests prior to that date would be eligible for annulment under the bill, which also has bipartisan sponsorship in the Senate.

“Among the reasons the legislature voted last year to remove the criminal penalty for possession of a small amount of marijuana and make possession a civil penalty was the long-term, negative impact a criminal record has on individuals and their families, including loss of housing, loss of employment, denial of student loans and other barriers to social wellbeing,” according to Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton.

Read more: http://www.unionleader.com/state-government/new-hampshire-lawmakers-pass-bill-to-annul-pot-possession-arrests-20180223