A bill that would decriminalize marijuana passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives but received a chilly reception in the state Senate, the Concord Monitor reported April 25.

The bill passed 193-141 in the House, but this week the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4-0 against the measure, effectively killing it. Leaders of the state Senate denounced the bill, no Senator committed to supporting it, and Gov. John Lynch had threatened a veto.

The bill would have decriminalized possession of a quarter-ounce of marijuana for personal use, making possession a violation rather than a misdemeanor offense. "The 'small amount' is probably equal to a bag back in the '60s," said Sen. Bob Letourneau (R-Derry).

Sponsors had successfully argued in the House that the bill would help college students facing loss of federal student aid because of a drug conviction on their record, but Sen. Deborah Reynolds said that the issue should be brought to lawmakers in Congress, not the state legislature.

The measure was sponsored by Rep. Jeff Fontas, a 21-year-old college student.