New Hampshire remains the lone holdout in New England without legalized recreational cannabis. While surrounding states such as Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts have embraced cannabis legalization, New Hampshire continues to face resistance at the legislative level.
Last week, lawmakers proposed a flurry of cannabis-related bills in a New Hampshire House of Representatives Committee meeting, aiming to push for both recreational legalization and improvements to the state’s medical cannabis program. However, with vocal opposition from Governor Kelly Ayotte and years of failed attempts in the Senate, these bills may be facing yet another uphill battle.
The State of Cannabis in New Hampshire
While many Americans might expect recreational cannabis to be widespread at this point, New Hampshire has remained conservative in this regard. Recreational use of the plant is still prohibited, making it the last state in New England to maintain this stance.
Currently, medical cannabis is the only legal option, available through the state’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program. Qualifying patients with approved medical conditions can access state-certified dispensaries, but supply points are limited, requiring long drives for many patients.
Advocates have shifted focus toward expanding the medical program in light of stalled efforts for full legalization.
High Hopes Meet Stark Opposition
Despite its past resistance, the Legislature will consider several cannabis-related bills this year across different aspects of legalization and medical reforms. However, Governor Kelly Ayotte, a vocal opponent of recreational marijuana, has reaffirmed her stance.
“I just don’t think the state has to be in that business,” Ayotte told the Concord Monitor.
This sentiment reflects the challenges faced by legalization bills in past years. Last year, New Hampshire came close to passing legislation, but disputes over implementation models—such as whether sales would follow a state-run model or an open retail system—caused the effort to collapse.
For now, Governor Ayotte’s opposition casts a long shadow over this year’s attempts, leaving many legislators with tempered expectations.
Some of New Hampshire Cannabis Proposals For 2025
House Bill 198
Aims to legalize possession of small amounts of cannabis. Adults 21 and older could possess up to two ounces of flower, 10 grams of concentrate, or products containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC. The bill also establishes penalties for public smoking or vaping.
House Bill 53 (Home Grow)
This bill would allow certified medical cannabis patients or their caregivers to cultivate cannabis at home. Patients could grow up to three mature plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings.
House Bill 196
Seeks to annul or re-sentence individuals for past cannabis-related offenses, aligning criminal records with current decriminalization laws. Currently, New Hampshire decriminalizes possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce, but those with prior convictions face lingering barriers.
Rep. Wheeler, who sponsors HB 196, argues that clearing records helps individuals move forward without undue stigma affecting their careers, housing, or loan eligibility.
House Bill 190
Proposes increasing the possession limit under the medical cannabis program from two ounces to four ounces. Proponents of this bill emphasize practicality for patients who rely on cannabis for therapeutic purposes but face challenges with the current limit.
House Bill 51 & Others
Additional proposals include redefining terms within cannabis law (HB 51), allowing manufacturers to operate as for-profit entities (HB 54), and revisiting the classification of drug paraphernalia (HB 226). While these bills focus on clarifying existing policies, their cumulative impact could shape the regulatory foundation for cannabis reform in the state.
The Outlook for New Hampshire Cannabis Legalization
Efforts to legalize recreational cannabis in New Hampshire have gained incremental support from legislators over the years, crossing party lines in the process.
Even so, the lack of support from Governor Ayotte remains a significant barrier. Historically in New Hampshire, the Senate often proved the breaking point even when House bills passed.
The 2025 legislative season already mirrors past trends, with bills aiming for incremental progress rather than sweeping policy changes. Advocates are adopting a more targeted strategy, taking cues from states like Vermont, which legalized home use without addressing sales infrastructure in its initial legislation.
Proponents of cannabis legalization highlight its potential benefits, including reducing arrests for non-violent drug offenses, generating tax revenue, and lowering barriers to therapeutic access.
Neighboring states that passed legalization measures also underscore economic benefits, from job creation to funding education or public infrastructure with cannabis tax proceeds.
For medical patients in particular, expanding New Hampshire’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program remains a pressing concern. Easier access, increased possession limits, and the option to grow cannabis at home could alleviate common logistical and financial constraints.
While the barriers to legalization in New Hampshire remain formidable, continued advocacy efforts and incremental policy shifts indicate progress, even if slower than cannabis reformers would hope.
For now, the road ahead is steep, but advocates cannabis advocates in New Hampshire remain committed to the fight for change. “We’ll keep pushing those boulders up the hill, and at some point, it’s going to roll down the other side,” said Matt Simon, who is lobbying on behalf of GraniteLeaf Cannabis, a New Hampshire cannabis manufacturer for House Bill 53
