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Bill > HB196


NH HB196

NH HB196
Relative to annulling certain cannabis possession offenses.


summary

Introduced
01/08/2025
In Committee
05/14/2025
Crossed Over
03/11/2025
Passed
Dead
05/22/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill allows for additional annulments, resentencings, or discontinuations of prosecutions for certain cannabis offenses.

AI Summary

This bill provides a comprehensive approach to addressing past cannabis-related offenses in New Hampshire by establishing new procedures for annulling, resentencing, and discontinuing prosecutions for certain cannabis-related crimes. The bill defines cannabis offenses broadly and creates multiple pathways for individuals to clear their records, including automatic annulment of misdemeanor and violation-level cannabis possession charges, the ability to petition for annulment of cannabis-related offenses, and opportunities for resentencing for individuals currently serving sentences for cannabis-related crimes. Specifically, the bill allows people to petition courts to annul arrest and court records for offenses involving possession of cannabis up to a defined limit, with a presumption that such annulments are in the interests of justice due to cannabis decriminalization. For individuals still serving sentences, the bill enables them to petition for resentencing, with a similar presumption favoring reduced sentences. The legislation also prevents prosecutors from pursuing pending charges for cannabis possession that occurred before July 1, 2025, for adults possessing amounts within the legal limit, and automatically vacates certain cannabis-related guilty verdicts and pleas entered before November 15, 2025. Importantly, all fees for these processes are waived, and the bill includes protections to prevent resentencing for offenses involving minors or more serious related charges.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Inexpedient to Legislate, Motion Adopted, Voice Vote === BILL KILLED ===; 05/22/2025; Senate Journal 14 (on 05/22/2025)

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