Committees in New Hampshire are making headway on marijuana reform, advancing a plan that would legalize simple possession for adults while expanding limits for medical cannabis patients. However, a more comprehensive proposal to create a regulated commercial market is on hold—for now.
Two Bills Move Forward, One Stalls
Lawmakers in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee approved two separate bills on Wednesday. Each tackles marijuana laws in different ways, but both mark steps toward broader legalization.
First up, HB 198, sponsored by Rep. Jared Sullivan (D), takes a straightforward approach. If passed, the bill would legalize possession for adults 21 and older without introducing a commercial market. Here’s what it allows:
- Up to two ounces of marijuana flower
- 10 grams of concentrates
- 2,000 milligrams of THC in other cannabis products
However, selling marijuana and home cultivation would still be illegal. Public consumption would also remain prohibited.
The second bill, HB 190, introduced by Rep. Heath Howard (D), focuses solely on medical cannabis patients and caregivers. It would double the possession limit from two ounces to four and increase the 10-day purchase cap to match.
Votes were tight on HB 198, which passed 9–7, while HB 190 saw unanimous support at 14–0.
A Step Toward Legalization—But With Limits
The push for marijuana reform in New Hampshire has been building for years. Lawmakers have repeatedly passed legalization bills, only for them to hit roadblocks in the Senate or face resistance from the governor’s office.
Rep. Alissandra Murray (D), who pushed to advance HB 198, made her stance clear:
“The people of New Hampshire have made it clear that they would like us to legalize cannabis.”
She described the bill as a “common sense compromise” that avoids the complications of setting up retail sales while still addressing public concerns. In short, it lets adults possess cannabis without diving into the messy politics of selling it.
But there’s still a long road ahead. While possession limits may increase, this legislation won’t change how consumers obtain marijuana legally—leaving the state in a legal gray area.
The Bigger Fight Over Retail Sales
While HB 198 and HB 190 are moving forward, broader efforts to establish a regulated retail market have stalled.
New Hampshire lawmakers came close to passing a full legalization bill last session. Even then-Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signaled he was open to a controlled commercial model. But internal disputes among lawmakers sank the proposal before it could reach the finish line.
The sticking point? How the state would handle retail sales.
House Democrats ultimately tabled the plan after last-minute concerns over a state-controlled franchise model. Under that system, the government—not private businesses—would have dictated how marijuana was sold and at what price. Opponents argued it gave the state too much power over the market.
Now, with Sununu no longer in office and lawmakers divided over regulation, the future of full-scale legalization remains uncertain.
What Happens Next?
The two bills approved by the House committee now head for debate in the full House, where they’ll face another round of votes. If they pass, they’ll move to the Senate—where marijuana bills have often met resistance in the past.
The broader fight for a commercial market isn’t over, but for now, lawmakers are taking a more gradual approach.
In the meantime, New Hampshire remains the only New England state where marijuana is still fully illegal for recreational use. Neighboring states—including Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont—have already embraced full legalization, leaving New Hampshire increasingly isolated on the issue.
Lawmakers have sent a message with their votes this week: Change is coming. The question is just how far they’re willing to go.
