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HB 75 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Legalizing cannabis for adults

AI-generated

legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older.

Legalizes the possession and use of cannabis by persons 21 years of age or older.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 and use of cannabis for persons 21 years of age and older.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Any person who drives on any way a vehicle while knowingly having in his or her possession or in any part of the vehicle a controlled drug or controlled drug analog in violation of the provisions of RSA 318-B shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and his or her license shall be revoked or his or her right to drive denied for a period of 60 days and at the discretion of the court for a period not to exceed 2 years.”
RSA 265-A:43
“In the case of any person charged with a violation of any provision of this chapter or RSA 318-D, who has previously been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony level violation of the laws of the United States or any state, territory or the District of Columbia relating to controlled drugs as defined in this chapter, such previous conviction shall be deemed a prior offense.”
RSA 318-B:27
“A prior conviction for a violation level offense shall not be deemed a prior offense[, except as provided in RSA 318-B:2-c, V(a)].”
RSA 318-B:27

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kevin VervilleRPrime

Public testimony

39 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

74% support23% oppose3% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“New Hampshire currently lives in two realities. One is the old guard thinking that current laws prevent residents who desire to consume cannabis from doing so is one. The reality of truth is that we now have three markets that serve the state.…”
— Daryl Eames, Manchester · NH Cannabis Association Constituentssupports
“It is asinine that in the "live free or die"state we are surrounded by states with more freedoms when it comes to what people are allowed to do in the privacy of their own homes.”
— 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. Legalizing this drug would lead to a whole host of issues that our state does not have an infrastructure or resources to deal with. This is very bad for our children and families.…”
— Celeste Clark, Raymondopposes
“Legalizing cannabis will not solve Nh budget issues. While it will bring in revenue on the front, it will create a myriad of issues costing taxpayers money on the back end. We only have to look at our neighboring states to see all the issues.…”
— Tad Dionne, Auburnopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 29, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseRoll callInexpedient to LegislateFailed167–190How they voted
    Overall
    47% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    138–6767% yea
    Democrats
    29–12319% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate3–1
    Overall
    75% yea
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateRoll callSen. Gannon Moved Laid on TableAdopted15–9How they voted
    Overall
    63% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    15–194% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety2:12–5:253m 13slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floor3:02:13–3:09:367m 23slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — failed, roll call 167-190; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary2:07:43–2:10:132m 30slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floor46:25–49:222m 57slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Pending Motion Inexpedient to Legislate; Sen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table — adopted, roll call 15-9

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 2 P. 4
  2. Jan 23, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/23/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  3. Jan 23, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/23/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Jan 29, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 01/29/2025 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 12 P. 14
  5. Feb 10, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 20, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MF RC 167-190 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 29
  7. Feb 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 31
  8. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  9. Mar 25, 2025SenHearing: 03/25/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 14
  10. Apr 17, 2025SenCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 04/17/2025, Vote 3-1; SC 17
  11. Apr 17, 2025SenSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table, RC 15Y-9N, MA; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  12. Apr 17, 2025SenPending Motion Inexpedient to Legislate; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  13. Oct 31, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, 10/31/2025; SJ 1

Coverage

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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