The sponsor of a House-passed bill to legalize marijuana in New Hampshire is defending her proposal from bipartisan critics in the Senate, who said over the weekend that they prefer a different approach that would establish a novel, state-controlled market.
Sens. Daryl Abbas (R) and Cindy Rosenwald (D) said in a recent TV interview with WMUR that they’d rather legalize cannabis through a state-run franchise model, which has the support of Gov. Chris Sununu (R).
“What was passed in the House,” Abbas said, “I would not support that if it came to the Senate.”
But the sponsor of HB 1633, Rep. Erica Layon (R), says the rival franchise model is “fraught with peril.” She’s consistently argued that giving the government day-to-day control over cannabis retailers would invite significant legal liability for the state, as would a proposed ban on lobbying by franchisees that Sununu also supports.
Layon’s more traditional licensing approach, along with strict limits on advertising, would both protect public safety and minimize legal risk, she told Marijuana Moment.
“The model which passed the House last week presents a classy, controlled, and cautious approach to legalization,” Layon said in an email. “Rather than make the state the senior partner in
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