Jason Bedrick

Peter Bearse: Campaign PhotoCONCORD--The Ballot Law Commission met to hear appeals from the state recounts conducted last week.

The Commission voted 5-0 against putting independent candidate Peter Bearse on the ballot. Bearse argued that the Secretary of State office did not properly count his ballot petitions. The State office said that Bearse fell short of the required 1,500 signatures needed to gain access to the ballot.

The New Hampshire House today voted to lessen the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The bill, which passed 193-141, now goes to the Senate where its chances of passage are less certain.

The authors of the bill want to remove mandatory jail time for those found guily of carrying less than a quarter ounce of marijuana. This bill would just have a $200 fine. Current state law stipulates that possession of that amount would mean a year in prison and a $2,000 fine.