New Hampshire Lawmakers Prepare Marijuana and Psychedelics Bills for 2025 Legislative Session
As the 2024 legislative session comes to a close, New Hampshire lawmakers are already looking ahead to cannabis-related bills for the coming year. According to legislative service requests, six separate pieces of marijuana legislation have been requested by members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, with an additional request focused on psilocybin.
Three of the proposed bills aim to legalize marijuana, with Reps. Jared Sullivan (D) and Kevin Verville (R) each submitting requests. Verville’s bill would legalize cannabis for individuals 21 and older, while Sullivan’s bills would focus on legalization and regulation, including the establishment of a commission to study cannabis regulation and sales.
Another bill, requested by Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D), would annul, resent, or discontinue prosecution of certain cannabis offenses. The bill’s scope is unclear, but it may include decriminalization or broader reform provisions.
Rep. Wendy Thomas (D), who successfully pushed for medical marijuana expansion earlier this year, has requested two bills related to therapeutic use. One bill would permit qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis, while the other would focus on hemp-derived cannabinoids and the definition of cannabis in therapeutic cannabis.
While nearly two-thirds of New Hampshire residents support legalizing marijuana, lawmakers have yet to reach agreement on how to do it. Last year, a Republican-led legalization bill was tabled due to opposition from House Democrats.
The upcoming election may impact the legalization debate, as gubernatorial candidates differ drastically on marijuana policy. Democratic candidate Joyce Craig has expressed support for a legalization bill that favors small, private businesses, while Republican candidate Kelly Ayotte has stated she would oppose the change.
In the meantime, Governor Chris Sununu has approved some minor marijuana reforms, including a medical marijuana expansion bill that allows doctors to recommend cannabis for any debilitating condition. However, Sununu vetoed a bill that would have allowed medical marijuana businesses to open second cultivation locations, citing concerns about safety and security.
The debate around marijuana legalization in New Hampshire is complex and contentious, with lawmakers and candidates on both sides of the issue. As the 2025 legislative session approaches, it remains to be seen whether lawmakers will be able to reach a consensus on how to move forward with cannabis reform.
