New Hampshire’s latest attempt to legalize recreational cannabis failed again Thursday.The House of Representatives voted narrowly in favor of tabling HB 1633, a bill that would have established a state franchise model for dispensaries and largely kicked in in 2026.Last Thursday, a bipartisan committee of senators and representatives reached a compromise on each chamber’s respective wording of the bill. The compromises included giving pre-existing medical dispensaries priority in registering for recreational dispensary licenses and raising the maximum decriminalized amount of cannabis in possession from three-fourths of an ounce to one ounce, which would take effect upon the bill’s passage.State Rep. Jared Sullivan, D-Bethlehem, spoke in opposition to the bill, which has been amended several times since it was originally introduced in January. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<“HB 1633 has proven to be a pretty stubborn bill that refuses to die,” Sullivan said. “The perplexing thing about the immortality of this bill is that literally nobody in the body likes this bill.”Many of those in favor of passing HB 1633, such as state Rep. Anita Burroughs, D-Glen, and chairman of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee John Hunt, R-Rindge, both members of the committee, acknowledged that while they felt that the language of the bill was not perfect, it could be reformed in future legislative sessions.“It is a lot easier to amend a law that’s on the books,” Hunt said last Thursday.Many of those opposed to the bill, including Sullivan, took issue not with legalizing cannabis generally but instead with the framework outlined in the bill. “I, like many in this room, seriously want to legalize cannabis sales in New Hampshire,” Sullivan said Thursday.While it was tabled by the House on a vote of 178-173, the Senate voted to pass the compromise version of HB 1633.“The committee of conference reached what I believe is a reasonable compromise,” said state Sen. Shannon Chandley, D-Amherst.Chandley additionally argued that accepting the committee’s compromise version of HB 1633 was vital because “more than 70% of our residents do not believe cannabis should be illegal.”Speaking against the bill, state Sen. Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead, warned of potential liabilities caused by the state’s involvement in marijuana sales. “If the kids get their hands on a product that we are selling, we are liable for it,” she said.Thursday was the final day of the 2024 legislative session and the final legislative session day for Gov. Chris Sununu, who is not running for re-election. Sununu had previously indicated that he was in favor of legalizing recreational cannabis via the franchise framework that proved to be so controversial in the legislature.
New Hampshire’s latest attempt to legalize recreational cannabis failed again Thursday.
The House of Representatives voted narrowly in favor of tabling HB 1633, a bill that would have established a state franchise model for dispensaries and largely kicked in in 2026.
Last Thursday, a bipartisan committee of senators and representatives reached a compromise on each chamber’s respective wording of the bill. The compromises included giving pre-existing medical dispensaries priority in registering for recreational dispensary licenses and raising the maximum decriminalized amount of cannabis in possession from three-fourths of an ounce to one ounce, which would take effect upon the bill’s passage.
State Rep. Jared Sullivan, D-Bethlehem, spoke in opposition to the bill, which has been amended several times since it was originally introduced in January.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
“HB 1633 has proven to be a pretty stubborn bill that refuses to die,” Sullivan said. “The perplexing thing about the immortality of this bill is that literally nobody in the body likes this bill.”
Many of those in favor of passing HB 1633, such as state Rep. Anita Burroughs, D-Glen, and chairman of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee John Hunt, R-Rindge, both members of the committee, acknowledged that while they felt that the language of the bill was not perfect, it could be reformed in future legislative sessions.
“It is a lot easier to amend a law that’s on the books,” Hunt said last Thursday.
Many of those opposed to the bill, including Sullivan, took issue not with legalizing cannabis generally but instead with the framework outlined in the bill.
“I, like many in this room, seriously want to legalize cannabis sales in New Hampshire,” Sullivan said Thursday.
While it was tabled by the House on a vote of 178-173, the Senate voted to pass the compromise version of HB 1633.
“The committee of conference reached what I believe is a reasonable compromise,” said state Sen. Shannon Chandley, D-Amherst.
Chandley additionally argued that accepting the committee’s compromise version of HB 1633 was vital because “more than 70% of our residents do not believe cannabis should be illegal.”
Speaking against the bill, state Sen. Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead, warned of potential liabilities caused by the state’s involvement in marijuana sales.
“If the kids get their hands on a product that we are selling, we are liable for it,” she said.
Thursday was the final day of the 2024 legislative session and the final legislative session day for Gov. Chris Sununu, who is not running for re-election. Sununu had previously indicated that he was in favor of legalizing recreational cannabis via the franchise framework that proved to be so controversial in the legislature.
