Wednesday’s vote in the New Hampshire state house was historic. According to the Marijuana Policy Project, it was the first time ever that any state legislative body has voted to legalize the plant! It’s an indicator of how much public opinion has changed on this issue – politicians can’t ignore it anymore. Many politicians in NH are listening and many have changed their minds on this issue. It’s not over, however, the bill now goes back to committee for further tweaking, then will be voted on again by the house, then if it passes again, the NH senate, and finally will reach the hypocritical governor Maggie Hassan.
The house discussion and vote was somewhat confusing to newcomers observing the goings-on, but thankfully liberty-loving state rep Mike Sylvia explains the process for us as well as his critical role. This is an excellent introduction to the workings of the state house:
Here is the quick primer on how it works:
A bill is introduced and assigned to a committee (easy so far). The committee has public hearings where interested parties testify and the committee gets a full education on the topic of the bill. The committee may amend the bill if they choose to. Ultimately the committee will vote on the bill, their vote will be a recommendation to the full house when the bill is voted upon on the floor in session. (more…)
With an overwhelming 250-97 vote today the NH house of representatives voted down a piece of legislation that would have brought even more of the police state to New Hampshire – the license plate scanners bill (HB 675). All 49 other states have these invasive, privacy-destroying devices and with today’s vote, New Hampshire’s state reps have refused this attempted advance of the police state. Yep that’s right, NH has no red light cameras AND no license plate scanners. We’re not totally free, but we’re free-er!
Additionally, the reps then voted to “indefinitely postpone” the bill rather than mark it as “inexpedient to legislate” – that means that it can’t be attached to another bill. It’s dead.
Thanks to all the NH native liberty-lovers and Free State Project participants who called their state reps about this issue. Things are only going to get better here as more libertarians make the move as part of the Free State Project! If you care about freedom and actually want to make a difference, there is nowhere better than the Shire!
After introducing their official New Hampshire vodka over the holiday season, the state’s liquor commission has just released a video advertisement for the beverage that represents the executive of our nation’s government. With proceeds from the sales of the hard drug going to repair flags severely damaged by wars, the state has invested generous resources into promoting the vodka, with no less than governor Maggie Hassan herself presenting the drink at press conferences and now, starring in this short commercial for the product. The official New Hampshire state vodka is available at all New Hampshire Wine & Liquor Outlets and has additionally received the endorsement of former governor John Lynch. Rumors have circulated that the beverage was also what filled councilor’s glasses at the central committee inauguration held on New Year’s day in the democratic people’s republic of Keene. Get yours today for only 29.99!
A recent appearance by the crew of AKPF #1 to the Black Sheep Rising dialogue program has been reduxed down to 29 minutes to air in this week’s Aqua Keene timeslot. Check out this insightful episode where we discuss the Robin Hood saga, DPRK, and canines instilled with a fear of cats.
Several weeks ago, the Wall Street Journal carried news of a couple who tried to live off bitcoin, a digital currency in its infancy, for 101 days across three continents. The duo may have struggled less had they confined their experiment to New Hampshire.
Here, bitcoin will buy you gas in Twin Mountain, lunch at a Newmarket cafe, martial arts lessons in Derry and a night’s stay in Fitzwilliam. (more…)
In the last update on Graham Colson’s case where he was arrested for violating an illegal “no trespass” order banning him from Central Sq., attorney Jon Meyer had trounced the people calling themselves the “City of Keene” in district court as judge Edward J. Burke sided with the defense and found “the City” had violated Graham’s right to due process. Burke delayed dismissing the case, however, to give the city attorney time to file a motion to reconsider.
Here is the motion to reconsider that they subsequently filed. In it, KPD prosecutor Jean Kilham argues that the court should reconsider dismissal because Graham previously had not challenged the validity of the no trespass order until now. Kilham is essentially arguing that because Graham was ignorant of his rights and the process until heroic free speech attorney Jon Meyer took his case, that therefore Graham should not be protected from the illegal order. Here’s Jon Meyer’s excellent response to their motion. Now the judge has asked the parties for opinion on if he should wait on a ruling from the US Supreme Court on an apparently unrelated case.
More as it develops. Stay tuned here to Free Keene.
Wednesday’s vote in the New Hampshire state house was historic. According to the Marijuana Policy Project, it was the first time ever that any state legislative body has voted to legalize the plant! It’s an indicator of how much public opinion has changed on this issue – politicians can’t ignore it anymore. Many politicians in NH are listening and many have changed their minds on this issue. It’s not over, however, the bill now goes back to committee for further tweaking, then will be voted on again by the house, then if it passes again, the NH senate, and finally will reach the hypocritical governor Maggie Hassan.![maggie_hassantransparent2a[1]](https://i0.wp.com/freekeene.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/maggie_hassantransparent2a1.png)
Hassan’s office staff acknowledged the large number of contacts they’ve been getting by people who want to see cannabis legal and issued a pathetic statement affirming her intent to veto, for the children of course. Nevermind that Hassan actively pushes the official state vodka – something that actually *can* harm children and adults.A bill is introduced and assigned to a committee (easy so far). The committee has public hearings where interested parties testify and the committee gets a full education on the topic of the bill. The committee may amend the bill if they choose to. Ultimately the committee will vote on the bill, their vote will be a recommendation to the full house when the bill is voted upon on the floor in session. (more…)
