Career Opportunities in NH Law Enforcement
As legislation regarding cannabis continues to change across the country, Info Hemp, an online publication dedicated to hemp and cannabis education and advocacy, is keenly interested in the related career opportunities and options in NH law enforcement.
As we’ve previously reported, cannabis laws are evolving, which means that law enforcement professionals must also adapt to these new rules and regulations. At the same time, there are hemp-focused law enforcement jobs, as well as cannabis-related law enforcement and security jobs that are expanding up and down the Eastern Seaboard.
Back in 2022, the NH legislature approved the possession and use of medical marijuana. Potentially even bigger changes to cannabis laws are on the horizon in NH, if Governor Sununu signs a bill approved by the NH House and Senate regarding legal recreational cannabis use. If this bill is signed, residents over the age of 21 will be allowed to possess small amounts of marijuana and cultivate it at home beginning in September.
This is in addition to earlier legislation passed in NH, which decriminalized possession of marijuana and small amounts of hashish. As expected, this is causing an increase in the number of cannabis-related NH law enforcement jobs, from uniformed officers to support and administration positions.
In addition to law enforcement jobs, the fastest growing sector in professional security is physical protection of hemp/hemp-derived CBD-related businesses and retail establishments.
According to the NH state police, they have been preparing for legalization of cannabis and hemp for several years. They offer training to local municipalities, which aids in professional development and overall job satisfaction within NH law enforcement careers. The NH Department of Safety and Division of State Police are also in the process of working with other states to procure training and certification on the use of new highway drug screening devices, which will help officers with roadside testing.
NH law enforcement officers are also taking it upon themselves to participate in additional training on hemp, hemp-derived CBD, and other cannabis-related topics.
As marijuana usage continues to increase, so too will the demand for cannabis testing. All of the new state-sponsored tests will require law enforcement professionals who can understand the results of this testing, as well as how to make sure the tests are utilized appropriately.
It’s important to note that legalization of cannabis doesn’t mean that illicit substances won’t be found in the state. The role of law enforcement officers won’t shift to just focusing on legal products. Instead, they will continue to deal with illegal products and adjust to new roles as needed.
It will also be necessary for law enforcement officers to stay up-to-date on new state and federal laws, including laws that change frequently. Training on cannabis and hemp products, as well as methods of detection and handling, will be ongoing.
To learn more about cannabis, hemp, and cannabis-equivalent drugs and how they may impact NH law enforcement jobs, visit Info Hemp for up to date information. Find out how NH law enforcement agencies are adapting to new cannabis norms and the importance of continuous training in cannabis laws for officers. Finally, get a glimpse into the future of NH law enforcement jobs in the cannabis sector.
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