Cannabis in New Hampshire
Adult-use cannabis is illegal.
A medical cannabis program was legalized by legislation in 2013.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen - D
Does Not Support Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Shaheen said: “I have concerns about recreational marijuana, and given the substance abuse crisis we have in this country, and we have an issue in New Hampshire and the lack of comprehensive data on how people are affected.” (2022)
- Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2017)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2016)
- Voted in favor of allowing banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2016)
Sen. Margaret Hassan - D
Does Not Support Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- As Governor of New Hampshire, Sen. Hassan declared that she would veto any legislation that decriminalized marijuana in New Hampshire, saying “I don’t support the decriminalization of marijuana any further, and I would veto it if it comes to my desk.” (2014)
- As Governor of New Hampshire, Sen. Hassan signed a bill that legalized medical cannabis in the state. (2013)
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-1) - D
Does Not Support Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
- Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Co-sponsored The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Quote: “It’s clearly a matter of when and not if marijuana gets legalized in New Hampshire. I think that at the point in time when it is legalized we need to be ready to make sure that public safety is protected.” (2018)
- Said he supports legalizing recreational cannabis at the state level and would consider descheduling it at the federal level. (2018)
- Said he supports removing cannabis from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act. (2018)
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-2) - D
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
- Voted in favor of preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)
Gov. Chris Sununu - R
Has Not Supported Adult Use Legalization In Their State
- Replying to President Biden’s cannabis policy announcement in October 2022, a spokesperson for Governor Sununu said: “Governor Sununu has done more on the issues surrounding marijuana reform than any other Governor in New Hampshire history. After years of inaction by Democrat governors, Chris Sununu signed commonsense decriminalization so no one would be jailed for simple possession of minor amounts of marijuana, expanded access to medical marijuana, and provided a pathway to annul old convictions for marijuana possession. The New Hampshire Department of Justice and Governor Sununu are reviewing the President’s actions. Under New Hampshire law and constitution, the Governor does not have unilateral authority to pardon anyone — it must go before the Governor and Council for consideration.” (2022)
-
- Governor Sununu said: “Well, I’m not pro-legalizing… Is now a time to do that? I don’t think so… The bill that is being proposed in New Hampshire to legalize it – it’s the right bill in the right structure so it basically sells marijuana the same way we do our liquor stores it has a state bank to manage the cash flow because that’s one of the complex problems it’s one of the most innovative ways to do it and it’s the best way to do it in the country so if you are ever going to do it do that bill is now the time… I think it’s going to ultimately happen in New Hampshire, it could be inevitable.. and so if they’re going to do it I just hope they pick the right system.” (2022)
- Signed a bill to expand the number of medical cannabis dispensaries allowed in New Hampshire. (2018)
- Signed a bill to decriminalize up to ¾ of an ounce of cannabis and up to 5 grams of hash in New Hampshire. (2017)
- Called cannabis decriminalization, “common sense marijuana reform.” (2017)
- Declared his opposition to legalizing recreational cannabis. (2017)
- Signed two bills to expand the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in New Hampshire. (2017).
Take Action in New Hampshire
Register to Vote in New Hampshire
Your vote can help influence cannabis policy! Register now to make sure your voice is heard.
