CONCORD — The number of state senators in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use may have grown enough to flip the script from the last time the Senate considered such a measure.
On May 12, the N.H. Senate killed House-passed Senate Bill 299, 15-9.
The Senate has often rejected cannabis bills approved in the House, so any change in political sentiment among New Hampshire’s two dozen senators could signal whether there’s a chance the state will join 21 others that allow recreational use.
Four of the senators who voted against SB 299 have been succeeded by senators who support legalization.
Sen. Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton, who worked on a recreational-use bill last year as a state representative, now holds the seat of retired Sen. Bob Giuda, R-Warren, who was one of the Legislature’s most vocal opponents of pot.
Republican Sen. Daryl Abbas of Salem, prime sponsor of a legalization bill while serving as a representative last session, now holds the Senate seat of Chuck Morse, R-Salem, the Senate president last year who opposed that measure.
Newly elected Sen. Keith Murphy, R-Manchester, is a co-sponsor of a legalization bill this year, House Bill 639. He succeeded Sen. Kevin Cavanaugh, D-Manchester, who was among the 15 senators who voted against SB 299.
Also in that group of 15 was Gary Daniels, R-Milford, who was defeated last year in…
