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Committee Recommends Killing NH Pot Decriminalization Bill

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A Senate committee is recommending that the New Hampshire Senate kill a bill that would decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana.

The House-passed bill would make possessing under half an ounce of marijuana punishable by a fine in some cases.

A first offense would be a violation punishable by a $250 fine. The second would be $500. Subsequent offenses would be misdemeanors subject to a year of jail time and a $1,000 fine. Offenders under 21 could also be ordered to take a drug awareness program.

All offenses are currently misdemeanors punishable by up to a $2,000 fine and a year in jail.

Gov. John Lynch has promised to veto the measure.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the bill Wednesday.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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