Lawmakers Aiming to Legalize Pot

CONCORD - A move to decriminalize the use of marijuana tops the agenda as the New Hampshire Legislature begins to hear from the public on its 1,400 bills for the 2007 session.

A new group calling itself the Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy has started collecting signatures in favor of the bill ( HB 92 ) through online petitions on its Web site, www.nhcommonsense.org. "Despite the threat of severe penalties, many responsible, productive New Hampshire citizens continue to use marijuana. As long as these individuals do not harm others, we believe it is unwise and unjust to continue persecuting them as enemies of the state," the group declares.

Attorney General Kelly Ayotte's office has traditionally opposed the move and a spokesperson said that position remains the same. Lobbies for the local police chiefs and county sheriffs are expected to weigh in against the bill as well.