New Hampshire Marijuana Laws

Updated September 2019

The state of New Hampshire has taken some steps toward creating reasonable cannabis access policies that its constituents have shown support for, but it still has a ways to go. Learn more about New Hampshire marijuana laws below.

Recreational Marijuana in New Hampshire

Is marijuana legal in New Hampshire? In short, no. However, on July 18, 2017, New Hampshire’s new governor Chris Sununu (R) signed into law House Bill 640, which makes the first and second offense of possession of up to three quarters of an ounce of cannabis or up to five grams of hash a civil offense punishable by a $100 fine, rather than a criminal offense. A fine of up to $300 for any subsequent offense within three years may be applied. A fourth offense within a three-year period may result in a person being charged with a misdemeanor.

Under New Hampshire marijuana laws, police cannot arrest someone for a cannabis violation, and minors caught with possession are subject to a delinquency petition. The money collected from fines will go to a fund dedicated to alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment.

With the passing of the most recent law, New Hampshire became the 22nd U.S. state to decriminalize marijuana and the last of the New England states. It went into effect 60 days after signing.

Medical Marijuana in New Hampshire

New Hampshire took a huge step forward by passing a comprehensive medical marijuana law in 2013. Gov. Maggie Hassan signed House Bill 573 to legalize medical marijuana on July 23, 2013, but the rollout was plagued with delays and the first dispensary didn’t open until April 2016. Under the law, registered patients are allowed to possess up to 2 ounces of usable marijuana.

The state currently has four open and operational dispensaries. The law does not allow for qualified patients to cultivate marijuana at home.

In order for patients to be eligible for New Hampshire’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program, a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant must issue a written certification that certifies that a patient has BOTH a condition listed here AND a symptom listed in the second list:

CONDITIONS:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Alzheimer’s Disease
Cancer
Chronic Pancreatitis
Crohn’s Disease
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
HIV/AIDS
Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Parkinson’s Disease
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Spinal Cord Injury or Disease
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Ulcerative Colitis

SYMPTOMS:

Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease
Chemotherapy Induced Anorexia
Elevated Intraocular Pressure
Moderate to Severe Chronic Pain
Moderate to Severe Vomiting
Nausea
Severe Pain That Has Not Responded to Previously Prescribed Medication
Persistent Muscle Spasms
Seizures
Wasting Syndrome or Cachexia

CBD from Hemp Oil in New Hampshire

Hemp-derived CBD products are legal under Federal Law in the United States; however, individual state laws are dynamic and fluid. Individual states may enact their own laws governing hemp-derived CBD.

Cultivation of Cannabis in New Hampshire

Growing cannabis for medical or personal purposes remains illegal.

Hemp can be cultivated legally by licensed growers. Governor Maggie Hassan House Bill 421 in July 2015, authorizing the University of New Hampshire to grow industrial hemp for research purposes. In July 2019, Gov. Chris Sununu signed House Bill 459 to amend the state’s existing hemp law. The new bill officially legalizes hemp and establishes a committee to study the federal guidelines on growing hemp.

Legal Status of Other U.S. States

Stay up to date on the latest state legislation, referendums, and public opinion polls. Our Marijuana Legalization Map allows you to browse the current status of medical and recreational marijuana laws in other U.S. states and territories.

Sources

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