Bipartisan Cannabis Legalization Bill Passes New Hampshire House Again, Heading To Senate

New Hampshire House of Representatives approved the cannabis legalization bill in a 272-109 vote for the second time in this legislative session. The legislation, HB 639, is now heading Senate.

“I am pleased to see New Hampshire take a step toward relieving gangsters and thugs from control of this market, keeping dangerous untested products away from consumers, and protecting children from harmful age-inappropriate products,” stated Representative Jason Osborne.

Back in February,    the bipartisan-led bill to legalize marijuana passed the full House and was sent to the Ways & Means Committee, where it was amended and then returned to the floor for final consideration.

The bipartisan duo Majority Leader Osborne (R) and Minority Leader Matthew Wilhelm (D) filed the cannabis bill for the 2023 session in December.

“Legalization of adult possession of small amounts of cannabis is the right thing to do for New Hampshire and we must get it done in 2023,” stated Wilhelm.

The Bill Highlights

• HB 639 would allow those over 21 to buy, possess or give away up to 20 grams of concentrated cannabis, and infused products with 2,000 milligrams of THC.
• The bill would also set up a new market with state-approved retailers to sell cannabis.
• The Liquor Commission — renamed the Liquor and Cannabis Commission — would regulate and license adult-use cannabis businesses.
• Home cultivation would be prohibited. 
• Smoking or vaping cannabis in a public place where smoking or vaping tobacco is prohibited would be punishable by a civil fine of up to $50.
• Imposes a 12.5% tax on final products sold to retailers.
• The odor of cannabis — and possession of a legal amount — cannot be the legal basis for a search or stop.
• The revenue, after administrative costs, would be distributed as follows: $100,000 for data collection and reporting on the health impacts of cannabis prohibition and regulation; 50% of the remaining amount to the education trust fund, to allow local property tax relief; 30% for unfunded pension liabilities; 10% or $25 million (whichever is less) to a new Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery Fund for evidence-based, voluntary programs for substance abuse-related prevention, treatment, and recovery; 5% for children’s behavioral health services

5% to public safety agencies, for hiring and training to prevent impaired driving (DRE and ARIDE) and to assist in responding to drug overdose incidents.

Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

The most successful cannabis business event in the world, the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, returns to Miami for its 16th edition.

This is the place where DEALS GET DONE, where money is raised, M&A starts, and companies meet investors and key partners. Join us at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel in Florida on April 11-12. Don’t miss out.

Photo: Courtesy of Kindel Media on Pexels