A Republican-backed legalization push, patient home grow rights, and a hemp product integration plan all hit a wall this week in the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee, setting up a tense floor showdown.
The committee met Tuesday to decide the fate of four House-passed cannabis bills. By day’s end, three of them—each aiming to expand access or streamline rules—were left hanging by a thread. Senators voted 3–1 to recommend that the full Senate reject the measures, though they will still head to the floor for debate and a final decision.
That includes a high-profile legalization proposal sponsored by a Republican lawmaker, a medical marijuana home cultivation bill backed by a Democrat, and a separate plan to let dispensaries use hemp-derived cannabinoids in products for patients.
Legalization Plan from GOP Lawmaker Falls Flat—Again
Rep. Kevin Verville (R) has tried before. His bill, HB 75, sought to legalize recreational cannabis in a relatively stripped-down way. It wasn’t packed with regulatory bells and whistles—just legal possession and limited personal cultivation.
But in New Hampshire, even that was too much.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3–1 to recommend killing it, a familiar fate for similar efforts over the past few years. The Senate has long been the more conservative chamber when it comes to marijuana reform, and this week only reinforced that.
Only one member of the committee, Sen. Becky Whitley (D), supported the bill.
“I think there’s some appetite in the public for this,” she said. “But clearly, we’re not there in this room.”
She wasn’t wrong.
Advocates weren’t surprised. HB 75 was widely seen as a longshot—especially given its sponsor was a Republican in a statehouse still divided on weed. And the bill’s minimal regulation left even some pro-legalization voices uneasy.
Medical Marijuana Home Grow Bill Also Rejected
Another measure, HB 610, came from Rep. Wendy Thomas (D), a vocal medical cannabis advocate and registered patient herself. Her bill would’ve allowed patients and caregivers to grow a limited number of plants for personal use.
The idea’s been floating around for years. It’s not exactly radical—home grow is allowed in most medical cannabis states. But New Hampshire remains one of the few holdouts, and that’s unlikely to change this session.
Senators again voted 3–1 to recommend the bill not pass. The discussion was brief, almost perfunctory.
One sentence summed it up: “We don’t support expanding cultivation at this time.”
Thomas called the move “disheartening” and accused lawmakers of ignoring patient needs. “This bill was about compassion, autonomy, and affordability,” she said in a statement.
That’s not just rhetoric. Medical marijuana in New Hampshire isn’t cheap, and patients without dispensaries nearby have long asked for alternatives. The home grow proposal, they argue, was the most logical fix.
Hemp-Derived Product Bill Also Gets a “No”
A third bill from Thomas would’ve given licensed medical dispensaries the option to purchase hemp-derived cannabinoids—like CBD—from commercial producers. After testing for safety and potency, those cannabinoids could then be used in patient products.
That one also got the thumbs-down.
Again, a 3–1 vote marked it “inexpedient to legislate.” The argument was that allowing dispensaries to incorporate cannabinoids from unregulated sources (even if tested) could complicate the state’s cannabis program.
But dispensaries pushed back on that.
“This would have given us more flexibility to make consistent, affordable formulations for patients,” said one ATC operator. “We’re not asking to cut corners—just to keep up with demand in a cost-effective way.”
All Eyes Now on the Senate Floor
Here’s where it gets interesting: just because the committee wants these bills gone doesn’t mean they’re dead.
Every bill marked “inexpedient to legislate” still moves to the full Senate. And while the odds aren’t great, especially for legalization, there’s still room for surprises.
A handful of senators have expressed interest in reforming the state’s marijuana laws—even if they didn’t sit on this committee. The floor debate could bring fresh arguments and amendments.
Some advocates remain hopeful, if not optimistic.
“It’s frustrating, but we’ve seen bills make it through against committee recommendations before,” said Matt Simon, a long-time cannabis reform advocate from New Hampshire.
He added: “All it takes is a few senators with backbone.”
Where Does New Hampshire Stand Compared to Others?
The state is increasingly isolated in New England when it comes to legal weed. Every other state in the region has legalized recreational cannabis in some form. Even nearby conservative states like Virginia have taken steps toward legalization.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| State | Recreational Legalization | Medical Use | Home Grow Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vermont | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | No | Yes | No |
New Hampshire’s government has typically blamed federal uncertainty and potential public health concerns for dragging its feet. But public sentiment tells a different story.
A recent poll from the University of New Hampshire found that 72% of residents support legalizing cannabis for adults. That number includes a majority of Republicans.
So what’s the holdup?
Patients and Advocates Say They’re Tired of Waiting
For people relying on medical cannabis, the political resistance feels out of touch.
“It’s like we’re living in the past,” said one patient advocate who asked not to be named for fear of backlash. “We’ve been begging for basic changes for years. And every time we get our hopes up, we’re told to wait.”
She said the repeated failures hurt morale in the patient community. “It’s more than just policy. It’s our health, our wallets, our time.”
And she’s not alone.
Many say they’re frustrated with lawmakers’ resistance to even small, incremental reforms. Especially when neighboring states are not only legal—they’re thriving off tax revenue, tourism, and job growth linked to cannabis industries.
“We’re not asking to be stoners,” another patient said. “We just want the same rights patients have across a state border.”
