NH | NORTHEAST
New Hampshire
TLDR
New Hampshire is the only New England state without legal recreational cannabis. HB 186 passed the House in 2026 but was tabled by the Senate, and Gov. Ayotte has threatened a veto. Medical is limited to ATCs since 2013. Decriminalized for small amounts. Border pressure from VT, MA, and ME intensifies.
Legal Status at a Glance
Regulatory Body
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Licensing: Medical only — Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs)
Key Legislation
Cannabis Legalization and Regulation
Passed the House but tabled by Senate (all but one Republican voted to table). Would allow 2 oz possession, 10g concentrates, 6 plants (3 mature). Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) has threatened to veto.
ATC Greenhouse Growing
Allow Alternative Treatment Centers to grow in greenhouses to reduce prices for medical patients.
Firearms Rights for Medical Cannabis Patients
Would restore firearms rights for medical cannabis patients under state law.
Current Events (2025-2026)
- ●Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) has threatened to veto any legalization bill — primary obstacle
- ●HB 186 passed House but Senate tabled it — all but one Republican voted to table
- ●New Hampshire remains the only New England state without legal recreational cannabis
- ●Neighboring states VT, MA, ME all have legal recreational markets creating border pressure
- ●Federal hemp ban creating additional pressure on state-level hemp regulation
- ●Advocates see House passage as significant progress despite Senate tabling
History Highlights
2013: Medical marijuana legalized via Alternative Treatment Centers
2017: Possession of < 3/4 oz decriminalized ($100 fine, no criminal record)
2026: HB 186 passes House — historic first — but tabled by Senate; Gov. veto threat
How This Connects to Our Policy
ACFA Section 3 (Border Pressure/Interstate Dynamics) — NH is surrounded by legal states and losing tax revenue. TTSA Section 1 (Voter/Legislative Mandate) — House passage signals public support despite executive resistance. ACFA Section 6 (Fiscal Impact) — lost revenue to neighboring states.
References & Sources
- New Hampshire MPP Overview →
- NHPR — No Marijuana Movement in 2025 →
- HB 186 — NH General Court →
- NH DHHS Therapeutic Cannabis →
Last verified: 2026-04-02. Not legal advice. Consult an attorney for your specific situation.
Community Input
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Policy by the People, for the People — One Plant Solution