Members of the House of Representatives have advanced legislation, HB 1633, legalizing the adult use, production, and retail sale of cannabis. Lawmakers approved the bill by a vote of 239 to 141. New Hampshire is the only northeastern state that has not yet legalized and regulated the adult-use marijuana market.
The bill provides a framework for the establishment of 15 retail facilities. Adults would be permitted to possess up to four ounces of cannabis.
House lawmakers have approved prior versions of adult-use legalization bills on multiple occasions. None of those bills have ever been considered by the Senate. However, last year, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu reversed his long-standing opposition to legalization and expressed support for a limited approach to regulating the market.
According to statewide polling compiled last year, 72 percent of residents support the “legalization of marijuana for recreational use.”
The bill must now be considered by the House Finance Committee before returning to the floor for a final vote. Following that vote, it will be transmitted to the Senate.
Information on this bill and other pending legislation is available from NORML’s Take Action Center.