Taking it easy on FELONS in NH!

A proposal to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in New Hampshire has police testifying on both sides of the volatile issue.

The proposal is to make the possession of up to 1.25 ounces of marijuana a violation that carries a $200 fine, instead of a misdemeanor that can result in up to a year in jail and fines up to $2,500.

It will be fascinating to see how hard local pols hold on to all that potential revenue.

At a hearing on Tuesday, supporters, including a police officer and the superintendent of the Cheshire County Jail, said the war on drugs, especially on small amounts of marijuana, wastes resources and damages lives.

“Peaceful adults in possession of small amounts of marijuana do not harm others, but they do occupy our police, clog up our court system and take up space in our jails,” Jail Superintendent Richard Van Wickler told the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

I couldn’t agree more, honestly. And I don’t smoke the stuff.

It’s pretty clear that the war on drugs is a major boondoggle full of feel-good soundbytes and fat politicians. It’s a war on almost all drugs, really. Personally I don’t give a crap about what someone does in the comfort of their own home. That changes when something they do infringes upon my rights to live in peace and happiness. Give me my peace and happiness or I beat the everloving shit out of you.

But New Hampshire Police Chiefs Association President Peter Morency said the state should not condone marijuana use by ending any criminal sanction.

“Every drug dealer I’ve always talked to says it all started with the first joint,” said Morency, police chief in Berlin.

Yep. Clouds their judgment and makes them do baaaaaad things. Just like guns! Guns and drugs use the same mind control rays! One joint turns them into a drive-by-shootin’ dealer!

One of the sponsors, Nashua Democrat Jeffery Fontas, told the committee drug charges do damage to young people later in life.

“Mistakes early in life, like a possession charge, can be devastating to the futures of our young people,” said Fontas, who turned 21 a week ago.

Supporters said a single drug arrest can lead to the loss of a college scholarship, the ability to serve in the military, subsidized housing, federal welfare like food stamps and even the right to vote.

Okay, just because I happen to agree that ridiculous trumped up charges for possession of some green crap in your back pocket can really screw you up in the long term, does NOT mean that I think it should be legalized so we can commence with allowing stoners to suck at the federal tax-cash udder. Subsidized housing? Federal welfare? Food stamps? My goodness.

Bradley Jardis, of Hooksett, a police officer in Rockingham County, said he supports the measure and considers the four-decade war on drugs a failure.

“There’s a financial incentive for some from law enforcement to oppose this bill, as their very own job is financed by this war that can’t be won,” Jardis said.

When all logic seems to fail, follow the big money trail …