A New Hampshire state Senate committee has effectively halted progress on several pro-marijuana bills by voting against them during a hearing this week. This decision is a significant setback for advocates, as it includes the rejection of a bill aimed at legalizing recreational cannabis. Although the measures could still be presented to the full Senate later in the legislative session, the committee’s actions suggest a bleak outcome for cannabis legislation this year.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted down three bills that had previously been approved by the House of Representatives. Among these were House Bill 75, which pertains to adult-use legalization; HB 53, which would have allowed medical marijuana patients to grow their own cannabis; and HB 51, which would enable licensed medical marijuana companies to buy hemp-based cannabinoids for their products.
Additionally, the committee did not address a fourth bill, HB 196, which focuses on expunging criminal records related to cannabis offenses. Despite some expectations that New Hampshire would not legalize recreational cannabis this year, particularly due to opposition from Governor Kelly Ayotte, many advocates expressed disappointment at the failure to advance even “modest” expansions of medical cannabis access.
Matt Simon, a spokesman for GraniteLeaf Cannabis, remarked that some senators seem intent on rejecting all cannabis-related bills, regardless of their nature or potential benefits. Currently, the New Hampshire Senate is set to consider another adult-use marijuana legalization bill, HB 198, which the House approved last month.
As it stands, New Hampshire remains the only state in New England that has not legalized adult-use cannabis.
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