New Hampshire House Passes Legislation to Clear Past Marijuana Convictions, Legalize Home Grows for Patients
- The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved House Bill 53, which would allow qualified patients and caregivers to grow a limited number of cannabis plants.
- House Bill 196 was also approved, allowing individuals with past convictions for small amounts of marijuana to petition for annulment, with objections requiring clear evidence.
- Both bills will now move to the New Hampshire Senate for consideration before potentially reaching Governor Kelly Ayotte for approval.
- Additionally, the House approved House Bill 75, which seeks to decriminalize possession and use of marijuana and marijuana-infused products.
The House of Representatives today gave approval to House Bill 53, as well as House Bill 196.
Filed by State Representatives Wendy Thomas (D), Heath Howard (D), and Jim Kofalt (R), House Bill 53 would allow qualified patients, as well as designated caregivers, to grow up to three mature cannabis plants, three immature plants and up to 12 seedlings. The measure was approved overwhelmingly, 328 to 42. House Bill 196, filed by a bipartisan group of five lawmakers, would allow individuals with past convictions for possessing up to two ounces of marijuana and five grams of hash to petition for annulment. If no prosecutor objects within 14 days, the court must grant the request. Objections require clear and convincing evidence that the offense doesn’t qualify or annulment isn’t in the interests of justice.
Both measure will soon be sent to the New Hampshire Senate. Approval through the Senate would send the proposals to Governor Kelly Ayotte.
Also today, the New Hampshire House approved House Bill 75, which would remove criminal penalties for possessing and using marijuana and marijuana-infused products.