A New Hampshire Senate committee has voted to recommend the rejection of three cannabis bills, including a proposal for legalization and a plan allowing state-registered medical marijuana patients to grow their own plants at home. This decision came just a week after the committee heard testimony regarding four cannabis bills passed by the House.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3–1 to label the three bills as “inexpedient to legislate” (ITL), effectively urging lawmakers not to move forward with them. Despite this recommendation, all bills will still be presented to the full Senate for consideration. Notably, the legalization bill—House Bill 75, introduced by Rep. Kevin Verville (R)—was not expected to pass, but the rejection of the medical marijuana bills from Rep. Wendy Thomas (D) highlights the committee’s generally negative stance on cannabis legislation.
Matt Simon, the director of public and government relations at GraniteLeaf Cannabis, expressed disappointment, stating that some senators seem determined to block any cannabis policy bills, regardless of their content. He noted the bipartisan support for cannabis reform in New Hampshire and mentioned his hope that the Senate will reconsider the hemp cannabinoids bill, known as HB 51, when it reaches the chamber floor.
The committee did not address a fourth cannabis bill, HB 196, which aims to expand the annulment process for past arrests related to simple marijuana possession.
Rep. Wendy Thomas’s homegrow bill, HB 53, would permit registered medical marijuana patients and their caregivers to cultivate their own cannabis. Under this proposal, qualified individuals could grow up to three mature plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings, while also being allowed to possess up to eight ounces of usable cannabis from their plants. Growers would need to secure their plants and report their cultivation to the state, and landlords would have the right to prohibit home growing.
This was the third consecutive session in which Thomas, who is a medical marijuana patient, has introduced such legislation.
Sen. Debra Altschiller (D), the only committee member who voted against rejecting the homegrow bill, cited powerful testimony from cancer survivors using cannabis for treatment as a reason for her support. She argued that allowing home cultivation could make medical marijuana more affordable and accessible for patients.
In contrast, Sen. Daryl Abbas (R) expressed concerns about the proposal, viewing it as a way to establish an eight-ounce possession limit for patients. He stated that the possession limit was a significant issue for him, indicating that he would not support the bill in its current form.
