New Hampshire House Committee Advances Adult-Use Cannabis Bill

A proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis in New Hampshire has passed a key House committee, setting up a possible vote next year. The New Hampshire House Commerce Committee on Tuesday advanced an adult-use cannabis bill, which could set up the legislation for a vote early next year, WMUR reports. The proposal would legalize cannabis for adults 21-and-older, allow some home cultivation, and tax products under the state’s existing rooms and meals tax, which could generate an estimated $27 million annually for the state.  

The proposal does not include a cap on cannabis businesses, which the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Jared Sullivan (D) called “a big controversy” when lawmakers tried passing the reforms last year. 

“This is an issue that most people in New Hampshire support, and if we don’t keep talking about it, the people of New Hampshire are never going to get what they want.” — Sullivan to WMUR 

A previous version of the bill introduced this year died in committee and the Senate last year voted down a proposal that would have legalized cannabis for adult use but gave the state tight control over licensing.    

State Rep. John Potucek (R) told WMUR that, despite the bill’s passage by the Commerce Committee, “the discussion is over.” 

“The Senate said no,” Potucek said. “The governor says no.”