Bill > HB198

This bill legalizes cannabis possession and use for adults 21 and older in New Hampshire, establishing clear possession limits and regulations. Specifically, adults can legally possess up to two ounces of cannabis flower or trim, ten grams of cannabis concentrate, and cannabis products containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC. The bill prohibits smoking or vaping cannabis in public, with escalating penalties for violations: a first offense results in a $100 fine and forfeiture of cannabis, a second offense within five years carries a $500 fine, and a third offense becomes a misdemeanor. For individuals under 21, possession of three-quarters of an ounce or less of cannabis is a violation with fines, and the bill ensures that such violations do not create permanent criminal records. The legislation aims to allow law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes and advance individual freedom, while also maintaining restrictions on workplace cannabis use, driving under the influence, and cannabis use by minors. Additionally, the bill specifies that fines collected will be deposited into a substance abuse prevention and treatment fund, reflecting a public health-oriented approach to cannabis regulation.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0170&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB198