State run dispensaries or die, says New Hampshire 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
State run dispensaries or die

What happened: New Hampshire lawmakers reached an agreement on a bill that would legalize cannabis in the state, after previous attempts failed.

What’s next: The bill now goes for a final vote in both the House and Senate. If passed, New Hampshire would join its New England neighbors and become the 25th state to legalize cannabis. 

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has said that while he’s against legalization on principle, he would sign a bill with state-run cannabis shops. 

Zoom out: The compromise legislation is the result of a long-back-and-forth between New Hampshire’s House and Senate.

The Republican-led Senate long preferred a state-run model, while the House proposed a more free-market model similar to neighboring states, so the legislation was never passed.

What’s in the bill? 

• Establishes a state-run franchise system for 15 cannabis stores by 2026, with a 15% franchise fee on purchases.

• Adds a representative from the medical marijuana industry to the Cannabis Control Commission.

• Removes penalties for vehicle passengers consuming cannabis in forms other than smoking or vaping.

• Expands the decriminalization limit from three-quarters of an ounce to one ounce immediately—full legalization of up to two ounces would start in 2026.

• Personal cultivation at home would remain illegal.

• Public smoking or vaping of marijuana would be penalized while other forms of public consumption would not be punished. 

• Driving under the influence of marijuana would remain a crime. 

• Existing medical marijuana businesses would receive priority when applying for licenses under the new law. 

-JB

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