New Hampshire
CANNABIS DISPENSARY REGULATIONS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire’s cannabis landscape remains in flux as of 2024. The state continues to be the only New England holdout without legal adult-use cannabis sales. On June 13, 2024, the New Hampshire House of Representatives narrowly voted to table House Bill 1633, which would have legalized possession and established a state-run franchise model for cannabis retail sales.
The proposed legislation aimed to create a unique system limiting cannabis retailers to 15 state-supervised franchises, similar to how New Hampshire currently regulates liquor sales. This model, initially proposed by outgoing Republican Governor Chris Sununu, faced opposition from both sides of the political aisle. Critics labeled it as an “intrusive big government program” that would stifle innovation and free market principles.
HB 1633 would have immediately decriminalized possession of up to one ounce of cannabis, with legal possession of up to two ounces slated to begin on January 1, 2026. The bill also prioritized existing medical dispensaries for recreational licenses.
Despite the setback, public support for legalization remains strong, with over 70% of New Hampshire residents favoring legal cannabis. However, the political landscape may pose challenges for future legalization efforts. Both leading Republican gubernatorial candidates, Kelly Ayotte and Chuck Morse, have expressed opposition to loosening cannabis laws if elected.
Currently, New Hampshire maintains a limited medical marijuana program and has decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis. Possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce is punishable by a fine, while larger amounts can result in misdemeanor charges with potential jail time.
As neighboring states continue to generate tax revenue from legal cannabis sales, pressure may mount on New Hampshire to reconsider its stance. However, for now, the state remains an “island of prohibition” in New England, with the next steps for cannabis reform likely dependent on future legislative efforts and the outcome of the upcoming gubernatorial election.
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CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HISTORY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire has taken a cautious approach to cannabis legalization. In 2013, the state passed a law legalizing medical cannabis, which allowed qualified patients to purchase and possess medical cannabis for certain conditions. Since then, there have been efforts to expand access to medical cannabis in the state. In 2019, the state approved the use of medical cannabis for opioid addiction treatment.
Efforts to legalize recreational cannabis in New Hampshire have so far been unsuccessful. However, there have been ongoing discussions and efforts to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis, and to create a regulatory framework for recreational cannabis use in the state.
Overall, New Hampshire’s cannabis policy remains limited, with only medical cannabis legal in the state. While there have been some recent efforts to expand access to medical cannabis, ongoing concerns about access and affordability suggest that there is still significant work to be done to ensure that patients have access to the care they need.