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HB 1446 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Cannabis use and firearm rights

AI-generated

providing that an individual's use of therapeutic cannabis shall not disqualify the individual from the purchase, ownership, or possession of a firearm.

Provides that an individual's lawful participation in the state's therapeutic cannabis program shall not disqualify the individual from purchasing, possessing, carrying, or transferring a firearm.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · February 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill provides that lawful participation in the state's therapeutic cannabis program shall not disqualify an individual exercising their constitutional right to purchase, possess, carry or transfer a firearm.

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

“A qualifying patient, caregiver, or other person lawfully registered under this chapter shall not be denied the right to purchase, possess, carry, or transfer firearms and ammunition under New Hampshire law on the basis of their participation in the therapeutic cannabis program.”
RSA 126-X:2-a
“Any federal action that criminalizes or burdens the exercise of firearm rights by qualifying patients shall be construed as an action preventing the state of New Hampshire from implementing its therapeutic cannabis law.”
RSA 126-X:2-a
“No state or local agency, employee, or law enforcement officer shall expend resources, cooperate with, or assist in the enforcement of federal prohibitions against the possession of firearms by qualifying patients acting in compliance with this chapter.”
RSA 126-X:2-a
“The attorney general shall have authority to intervene, appear, or provide defense in any judicial proceeding where a qualifying patient faces federal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. section 922(g)(3) solely by virtue of their lawful participation in the therapeutic cannabis program.”
RSA 126-X:2-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Tom MannionRPrimeAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. Matt DrewR, Rep. Tim MannionR, Rep. Yury PolozovR

Public testimony

30 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony

73% support27% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Legal use of legal substances must not limit individual rights. nuff said.”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“Leave federal law to the federal government. There is no reason for NH to assimilate federal laws nor assist in their enforcement.”
— Kevin Craig, Lancastersupports
“A Doctors prescription for use of therapeutic cannabis should not/shall not disqualify the individual from the purchase, ownership, or possession of a firearm.”
— Rick Hiland, Albanysupports
“This bill needs to be passed for privacy reasons. Publicizing firearm owners information is an invitation to thefts and home robberies”
— Bradley Louth, Hamptonopposes
“Hi I am a resident of Newport and I am opposed to this bill because I do think that cannabis is a horrible drug and very dangerous if used with a firearm. I am very much in favor of 2nd amendment rights, but I think the existing law should stay in effect.…”
— Julie S, Newportopposes

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 23, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate12–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseDivisionLay HB1446 on Table (Rep. H. Howard)Adopted318–8
    Overall
    98% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseRoll callRemove from Table (Rep. Butler)Failed81–270How they voted
    Overall
    23% yea
    Republicans
    35–15419% yea
    Democrats
    46–11628% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety3:59:03–4:20:1821m 15slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor6:09:07–6:15:065m 59slocated in the stream transcriptRemoved from Consent (Reps. H. Howard, Wheeler, Butler, Alexander Jr., Nagel, Roesener, Prout, Bailey, Ammon, Giasson); Lay HB1446 on Table (Rep. H. Howard) — adopted, division 318-8
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:09:40–4:14:054m 25slocated in the stream transcriptRemove from Table (Rep. Butler) — failed, roll call 81-270

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. 20
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 12:00 pm GP 159
  3. Jan 23, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/23/2026 12:00 pm GP 159
  4. Jan 23, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/23/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 5 P. 3
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. H. Howard, Wheeler, Butler, Alexander Jr., Nagel, Roesener, Prout, Bailey, Ammon, Giasson) 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 6
  6. Feb 5, 2026HouseLay HB1446 on Table (Rep. H. Howard): MA DV 318-8 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 62
  7. Mar 26, 2026HouseRemove from Table (Rep. Butler): MF RC 81-270 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 39

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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