CatMoreTofu t1_j0vxujr wrote
Reply to comment by pitamandan in The Granite State Starts to Crack? - New Hampshire Legislators Introduce Bipartisan Cannabis Legalization Bill by CurtD34
I just do not understand why we should want/allow the NH Government to have total control over an entirely new industry. We've already seen an explosion of nano/micro breweries with the loosening of the restrictions on them, why do we continue to insist that NH Liquor store model is even appealing? Half of the reason it works is that our border states charge sales tax and we're accessible, both are things which would be unlikely to motivate additional marijuana sales. The people of NH have overwhelmingly supported legalization for a long time and yet Governors have been vetoing legalization measures since at least John Lynch's time in office, this is just fundamentally not how things ought to function even if they have supposedly well intentioned plans for the future.
pitamandan t1_j0wcq35 wrote
So NH doesn’t have a “total control over alcohol”. Every store sells it, Gary’s liqueur in Portsmouth is one of my fave pickup spots. No one is advocating for “total control”.
We seem to be a very goal/task oriented state. When we do something, we do it with purpose, or not at all, but we also limit “chaos”. Ie saying “sure let everyone do whatever and we’ll deal with the fallout”. Lots of states have that, and if you’ve been to those states (I’m looking at you Massachusetts, Florida, and North Carolina), and it’s like a checkerboard of desirable/undesirable. Pot barn and vape shop, high end shopping, run down housing, millionaire condos.
NH, at least in my view, seems to prefer a more tempered approach to idealism. Like picture apple products. Are they first with everything? No. Do they execute well when a clear need, and value to it, exists? Yes.
My man, I would love to have a dispensary here. But for now, I’ll like our limitations to keep extreme stores to a minimum, and drive an extra 12 minutes to ME or MA for pot.
Own_Pollution24 t1_j0xf7qi wrote
Gary's closed like a year ago
pitamandan t1_j0xpmvj wrote
Technically it moved to route 1, if you take the roundabout toward Maine, then the first right, it’s right there. It sold to tobacco bev, but same store.
CatMoreTofu t1_j0xfvbp wrote
Its an entire new industry paying above average wages and happy to be taxed at 20% rate. An industry that is already legally operating on the other aide of all our borders and without any of the benefits coming to NH. I am really unsure any of the types of issues you are describing experiencing in other states can be directly attributed to legalization. I also disagree with your assessment of the NH approach to governance, we have an atypically large legislature which insures more compromise and consequently tends to slow the speed of the process. At a time when NH needs to both retain and recruit young and working age people it seems senseless to sit on the sidelines while our neighboring state’s allow this industry to develop. The longer NH continues to sit out the less potential benefits we will see from this new industry as NH will be further behind in tools and know how. None of this bothers the Governor etc because those that see the issue through the liquor store lens only see that revenue stream and not the dozens of other economic impacts this has. Want to rejuvenate the North country while improving our roads and schools? Want to just lower taxes? Or how about just doing something the majority of residents say they want?
pitamandan t1_j0xpfqc wrote
Your idealist “NH would benefit, why don’t we?” Is both childish and obvious. Like I tell my 4yo, I would love to just “have” money. But unfortunately, it’s a bit more complicated.
Should we? Sure. Would it be awesome? Yes. Could we benefit? Hell yes.
BUT ARE WE GOING TO, AND DOES YOUR SINGULAR OPINION MATTER? FUCK NO IT DOES NOT.
I feel like I’m arguing with an entitled teenager. I get it, from your perspective, life would be so much cooler or accessible. Unfortunately, the adults have to work it all out before you can have your cookie.
CatMoreTofu t1_j0z9j0u wrote
I'm not sure why you had to reduce the conversation to name calling and insults. All I am saying is that I see a lot of potential benefits, the majority of NH residents want legalization, and the benefits of waiting until it can be run through the State Liquor stores makes little to no sense. The part where you said: "Should we? Sure. Would it be awesome? Yes. Could we benefit? Hell yes." is the whole argument, why waste time defending NH politicians who are actively blocking popular legislation which would undoubtedly increase tax revenues? My point this whole time has simply been that waiting for it to be Federally Legal so the state can Monopolize the marketplace via the Liquor Store model seems ill-conceived and in my opinion actually less desirable than the alternatives.
anarchir t1_j0xx4i2 wrote
NH State does have near total control over hard liquor sales. Restaurants cannot even buy direct from a distillery!
ElisabetSobeckPhD t1_j0ywse3 wrote
> it’s like a checkerboard of desirable/undesirable. Pot barn and vape shop, high end shopping, run down housing, millionaire condos. >
honestly you are describing Seabrook right now (minus the pot barn obviously)
pitamandan t1_j0zawg9 wrote
Lol
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