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CACR 19 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Constitutional right to cannabis possession

AI-generated

relative to the personal possession of cannabis. Providing that adults 21 years of age or older shall have the right to possess a modest amount of cannabis intended for their personal consumption.

Establishes a constitutional right for adults 21 years of age or older to possess a modest amount of cannabis for personal consumption.AI-generated

Status

Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · February 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution establishes the right for all adults 21 years of age or older to possess a modest amount of cannabis for personal consumption.

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

“Adults who are 21 years of age or older shall have the right to possess a modest amount of cannabis intended for their personal consumption.”
From the bill
“To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2026 session of the general court shall be approved.”
From the bill
“All adults who are 21 years of age or older shall have the right to possess a modest amount of cannabis intended for their personal consumption.” V.”
From the bill
“That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot.”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jonah WheelerDPrime
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Dan McGuireRVice Chair· Finance

Also: Rep. Jared SullivanD, Rep. Buzz ScherrD, Rep. Jodi NewellD, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Barbara ComtoisR, Rep. Andrew ProutR

Public testimony

37 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

68% support32% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“It is long overdue to decriminalize cannabis in the state of NH. Every other state surrounding us has done this, and we are woefully backwards in many ways, particularly this one. People should not be fined or jailed for possessing cannabis for their own consumption.…”
— Wendy Wetherbee, Derrysupports
“New Hampshire can allow its citizens to make their own decisions.”
— Justin Killeen, Fitzwilliamsupports
“Marijuana is one of the safest tool out there for severe drug addiction. I have seen first hand what drugs use looks like. I have watched my own brother die from drug abuse, and I can assure you marijuana was not the drug involved.…”
— Joanna Lally, Holdernesssupports
“I love that NH has stood firmly against marijuana possession for recreational use. I hope our lawmakers have the moral strength to look past the dollar signs and make the right decision for our children and families.…”
— Stefanie King, New Durhamopposes

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
  • Feb 11, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate11–2
    Overall
    85% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. A. Murray)Failed115–220
    Overall
    34% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety1:18–5:204m 2slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor2:35:52–2:40:034m 11slocated in the stream transcriptSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. A. Murray) — failed, division 115-220

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 40
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  3. Feb 11, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 11, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/11/2026 (Vote 11-2; RC) HC 10 P. 77
  5. Feb 24, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseSpecial Order to next order of business (Rep. A. Murray): MF DV 115-220 03/11/2026 HJ 8 P. 91

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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