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SB 651 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Cannabis legalization and regulation

AI-generated

relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.

Establishes procedures for the legalization, regulation, and taxation of cannabis, including licensing and regulation of cannabis establishments, and makes related appropriations.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes procedures for the legalization, regulation, and taxation of cannabis; the licensing and regulation of cannabis establishments; and makes appropriations therefor.

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

“The commissioner of the department of health and human services, in coordination with the governor's commission on alcohol and other drugs under RSA 12-J shall administer the substance abuse prevention and recovery fund established in RSA 318-F:22.”
RSA 126-A:107
“"Cannabis" means all parts of the plant of the genus cannabis whether growing or not, the seeds thereof, the resin extracted from any part of the plant, and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or its resin, including cannabis concentrate.”
RSA 318-F:1
“Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the following acts, if undertaken by a person 21 years of age or older, shall not be illegal under New Hampshire law or the law of any political subdivision of the state or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under New Hampshire law:”
RSA 318-F:2
“No person shall smoke or vape cannabis in a public place where the smoking or vaporizing of tobacco products is prohibited.”
RSA 318-F:3

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Donovan FentonDPrime
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Alexis SimpsonDDemocratic Leader
  • Rep. Laura TelerskiDDeputy Democratic Leader

Also: Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Pat LongD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateRoll callSen. Abbas 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 22, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary59:45–1:18:5619m 11slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:01:30–5:03:011m 31slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Pending Motion Inexpedient to Legislate; Sen. Abbas 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 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 2
  2. Jan 22, 2026SenHearing: 01/22/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 2
  3. Feb 5, 2026SenCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 02/05/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 4
  4. Feb 5, 2026SenSen. Abbas Moved Laid on Table, RC 15Y-9N, MA; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  5. Feb 5, 2026SenPending Motion Inexpedient to Legislate; 02/05/2026; SJ 3

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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