The New Hampshire House is not giving up on legalizing marijuana, even in the face of opposition from the state Senate and the governor. A new legalization bill moved forward Tuesday, advancing out of the cannabis-friendly House Commerce Committee to the House floor, where it could get a vote early next year.
"This is an issue that most people in New Hampshire support, and if we don't keep talking about it, the people of New Hampshire are never going to get what they want," said state Rep. Jared Sullivan, D-Bethlehem.
House Bill 186 would legalize cannabis for users 21 or older. It would also open up home cultivation. Smoking cannabis in public would be banned, but it would only be a violation-level offense. Sales of cannabis would be taxed under the existing rooms and meals tax, generating an estimated $27 million per year. There would be less state control over who could open a cannabis business.
"It would allow people who want to open one to be able to open one without having to worry about a cap on licenses, which was a big controversy in 2024," Sullivan said.
Read more at WMUR 9
