The New Hampshire house voted 192-140 Wednesday to kill a bill that would legalize up to one ounce of marijuana for recreational use.
During debate on the House floor, Republican Representative Steve Vaillancourt of Manchester argued that legalized cannabis would provide a revenue windfall for the state.
“The budget writers would have an extra $6.5 million next year.”
Money he says could go towards the state’s infrastructure needs.
But Representative David Hess, a Republican from Hooksett, questioned those numbers, saying Colorado’s revenue estimates were inflated and inaccurate. He also says companies working in the fledgling marijuana industry face financial limitations.
“The pot industry is not a cash cow. It is not a cash elephant. It is a cash herd of elephants. And the reason it is, is that the marijuana industry can’t use the banks.”
The vote is a reversal of the position the House took in January. Governor Hassan had promised to veto the measure.