New Hampshire House Passes GOP-Led Cannabis Legalization Bill That Doesn't Meet All Governor's Requirements

The New Hampshire House passed a cannabis legalization bill Thursday in a 239-136 vote. The news comes some two months after the House gave its first approval sending the measure to the Finance Committee before returning to the floor for a final vote.

Sponsored by Rep. Erica Layon (R), House Bill 1633, allows adults over 21 to purchase marijuana from up to 15 licensed stores across the state regulated by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. It also permits possession of limited amounts of cannabis.

The measure is now heading to the state Senate, which has never voted to legalize cannabis. 

Marijuana legalization momentum will be discussed by a slew of industry experts at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference next week. 

What About The Governor? 

Even if the Senate passes the bill, it remains unclear if Governor Chris Sununu (R) will sign it. According to the governor's spokesperson, the approved version of the bill doesn't contain all the policy framework Sununu previously said he deems necessary, writes the Boston Globe. 

In November, Sununu postponed the cannabis legalization bid with a last-minute ultimatum forcing the commission to end its session with no recommendations. At the time the governor's office told the commission tasked with drafting the legalization bill that Sununu will only accept 15 retail storefronts under a franchisee model and that he is requiring a ban on lobbying and political contributions by cannabis licensees.

In March 2024, Rep. Dan McGuire (R) urged the House Finance Committee to amend the bill to meet a list of around 10 proposals he said he obtained from Sununu's point person on this topic. The main priority on the list was a suggestion to establish a franchise model over which the New Hampshire Liquor Commission had control of what is sold and how it is marketed, McGuire said. "If you want something to pass, this is the Number 1 thing on the governor's list," he said. 

‘Agency' Model Instead 

Layon proposed an "agency" model instead, which differs from a "franchise" model mostly in the degree of discretion each licensee would have to make their own decisions.

According to Layon, under an agency model, the state requires "agreement and compliance from private businesses granted limited licenses by the Liquor Commission beyond the traditional health and safety regulatory role of government." She argued that a franchise model could place the state at risk of federal intervention.

"This meets just about every requirement—every requirement that was previously laid out in order to become law," Layon said.

Sununu's spokesperson added that the governor is looking forward to working with the New Hampshire Senate on this bill "to see if we can get it done" with a focus on harm reduction and protecting youth.

Senate President Jeb Bradley (R) said he is against the legalization of cannabis for recreational use, but that a proper plan might acquire a majority in the state Senate.

New Hampshire is the only state in New England that has not legalized recreational cannabis. 

See Also: FDA Approves Hemp Meal For Hen Feed, NH Eyes Private Cannabis Sales Model, CT Flower Shortage And More

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Photo: Benzinga edit with images from Wikimedia Commons and Kindel Media via Pexels.