New Hampshire is known to be the last state in New England with very stringent rules surrounding marijuana possession. In the state, simple possession of any amount of marijuana is punishable by up to one year of prison and a fine of up to $2,000. There have been many attempts to decriminalize marijuana possession in the state over the past few years. Efforts during the 2014 and 2015 legislative sessions have passed in the house of representative. However, the bills have all been defeated in the senate. Fortunately, it seems like the legislative session that recently commenced in New Hampshire is more optimistic about the decriminalization of marijuana possession.

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Last January, three separate proposals to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults were introduced during the session.

House Bill 1675 aims to legalize possession of up to 2.2 pounds of marijuana for personal use by adults 19 and older. It would also legalize cultivation of marijuana plants of up to six pots at home. House Bill 1610 on the other hand would make possession of up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use of adults 21 and over legal. Lastly, House bill 1694 would not only legalize up to 1 ounce of marijuana possession but it would also permit marijuana retail and would impose a 15% tax on the sale of the drug.

"It looked like something was going to pass, but it actually got tabled the last day of the session, and died on the table. The House is essentially giving them a do-over, by sending this bill back over and seeing if the Senate can work something out this year" quipped Matt Simon from the Marijuana Policy Project in a recent interview with New Hampshire Public Radio.

Supporter of the decriminalization of marijuana are hopeful about this year's legislative session. They are however worried about the stance New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan regarding the well-debated issues. Hassan has previously spoken about her position on marijuana. According to the governor, decriminalizing the drug is not sending a good message to young people. She has expressed her intention to veto marijuana bills.