NH house approves bill to regulate marijuana similar to alcohol

CONCORD, N.H. (MyFoxBoston.com) – The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday that will allow the state to regulate marijuana like alcohol.

For the first time in history, a legislative chamber in the US passed legislation to end marijuana prohibition and regulate the drug like alcohol, officials say. The bill will allow marijuana to be sold to adults over the age of 21.

The House Ways and Means Committee will review the revenue aspects of the bill. Whether the committee is in favor of the bill or not, it will return to the House of Representatives for a second vote in February or March. If approved, it will go to the state Senate.

"House members made history today, and they are clearly on the right side of it," said Matt Simon, the New Hampshire-based New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project in a release. "Marijuana prohibition has been an enormously expensive failure. Most Americans, including 60% of New Hampshire residents, agree that it is time to adopt a more sensible policy."

Cox Media Group