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HB 198 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Legalizing cannabis, banning public use

AI-generated

relative to legalizing certain quantities of cannabis and establishing penalties for the smoking or vaping of cannabis in public.

Legalizes possession of a specified amount of cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older and prohibits the smoking or vaping of cannabis in public.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · November 3, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill legalizes the possession of a certain amount of cannabis for persons 21 years or older and prohibits public consumption of cannabis.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jared SullivanDPrime
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Rep. Jonah WheelerD

Public testimony

25 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

72% support28% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Similar to HB 75 but perhaps more palatable due to limiting the amount of possession. I would just add that unlimited amounts of cannabis are currently available to anyone that wants it in our state.”
— Daryl Eames, Manchester · NH Cannabis Association Constituentssupports
“With all of our surrounding states having legalized Marijuana we shouldn't limit interstate commerce criminalized possession of a substance that when used properly offers no danger to the public.”
— Adam Normandin, Milfordsupports
“[Art.] 2. [Natural Rights.] All men have certain natural, essential, and inherent rights among which are, the enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing, and protecting, property; and, in a word, of seeking and obtaining happiness.…”
— Brian Homer, North STRATFORDsupports
“We have been through all this many times before. Besides, Gov Ayotte will veto.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“I oppose this bill and ask you to as well. Our state continues to fight back on NOT wanting this drug legalized. It is already decriminalized, and no one is going to jail for a personal amount of marijuana.…”
— Celeste Clark, Raymondopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-2310:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearing
  • 2025-03-0510:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-151:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 2 P. 10
  2. Jan 23, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/23/2025 01:30 pm LOB 202-204
  3. Mar 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/05/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 5, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/05/2025 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 17 P. 26
  5. Mar 19, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 208-125 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 45
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 10
  8. Apr 15, 2025SenHearing: 04/15/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 17
  9. May 1, 2025SenCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 05/01/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 19
  10. May 1, 2025SenSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table, RC 12Y-10N, MA; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  11. May 1, 2025SenPending Motion Inexpedient to Legislate; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  12. Oct 31, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, 10/31/2025; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.