New Hampshire's House Passes Bipartisan Bill To Legalize Marijuana: What's Next?

A bipartisan-led bill to legalize marijuana was greenlighted by New Hampshire's House of Representatives on Wednesday, as first reported by Marijuana Moment.

The chamber passed the measure from Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R) and Minority Leader Matthew Wilhelm (D) in a 234-127 vote.

The bipartisan duo filed the cannabis bill for the 2023 session in December.

What's In It

HB 639 would allow those over 21 to buy, possess or give away up to 4 ounces of marijuana. The bill would also set up a new market with state-approved retailers to sell cannabis.

The tax for cannabis cultivators would amount to 15 percent of their monthly gross revenue under the policy change, while a chunk of tax revenue would fund education trust and substance misuse treatment programs, as well as some public agencies.

After undergoing changes proposed by House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Liquor Subcommittee members, the provisions concerning home cultivation and clearing of records of past marijuana possession offenses were left out of the measure.

What's Next

The bill is now heading to the House Ways & Means Committee for review.

Previous Efforts

New Hampshire's Senate members have struck down the two previously House-passed bills that would have legalized marijuana in April.

The noncommercial legislation from Osborne's GOP colleague Rep. Carol McGuire was killed in a 9-15 vote, while another bill - from Rep. Daryl Abbas (R) - that would have set up an adult-use market run by the state's Liquor Commission was also defeated by the Senate, on a voice vote.

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 Roberto Valdivia on Unsplash