[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6373298,"mediaKeyId","2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da","parentId",2146046,"title","Committee hears testimony to double therapeutic cannabis possession limit to 4 ounces","audioSeconds",4066,"startMs",3627000,"endMs",7693000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da&start=3627&end=7693","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da/thumbnail_3627000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6373298/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-testimony-to-double-therapeutic-cannabis-possession-limit-to-4-ounces","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373298-baeea5d2c9599aa46723618eb9dcfcd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139770&Signature=hR~y5NZuAfva-cIvcAZzb33l92MiFZ~XLQnxkdlKfYwYGgnxx39cR9vAdGFW2dck3-WTM5oeRI4y~xh150cDWfUHZF5e~QBhRkBXNPHLZyXMexBxI8ytn395gAK51b9rbWYSCZIUY2JZ2dMLzLC58wsQ9QAGU25x~614ogtH7FSWELSaZckgawyt-W1Wkp4TNlo1GD5ID3XMA1rQ2tx2yEC5ZKibMIVUB64fi8iFe33OPw-wSLpgw5qqEZtR9nUnW0ut7icAUXQdr3Wgvu4pPCGjkD5ArecCx~H-qj-BN7aQFbs6Jd5XgcB3LP-xTzI8Q5zZ5KerR7k1a-J2w8d~Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","NH House of Representatives Committee","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","Concord — Lawmakers heard extensive testimony on HB 190, a bill that would raise the legal possession limit for registered therapeutic cannabis patients from 2 ounces to 4 ounces.

Supporters told the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee the change would ease access and lower cost and travel burdens for patients who rely on cannabis for medical reasons. \"This bill ... increases therapeutic cannabis purchase and possession limits from 2 to 4 ounces,\" Representative Heath Howard told the committee when he introduced the measure.

The bill's proponents described several rationales. Heather Marie Brown, patient representative and alternate chair of the Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board, said the current 2-ounce limit forces some patients to make frequent trips to dispensaries and drives some toward the unregulated market. \"If I was able to purchase 4 ounces of cannabis at 1 time, I could go home and I can make my butter, and I can make my oil, and I can make my tinctures, and then I am all set for a month,\" Brown said, adding that the larger amount reduces travel, lowers cost per dose and helps patients manage chronic pain and PTSD without feeling they are committing a crime.

Matt Simon, who identified himself as working for Granite Leaf Cannabis, an alternative treatment center, also supported the bill and described practical problems created by the current law for dispensary staff and patients. He said the therapeutic program now sells a wide variety of products beyond flower — capsules, tinctures and suppositories — and the 2-ounce flower-based limit forces staff to perform complex conversions and frequent explanations to patients about allotments.

Several lawmakers and witnesses emphasized geographic access issues. Representative Heath Howard and others said New Hampshire has a small number of dispensary locations, with heavier concentration in the southern half of the state, producing long drives for North Country patients. Howard said increasing the limit could let some patients reduce trips from monthly to every two months.

Committee members probed the evidence backing a higher limit. Sukhumala, state chairman of SAM New Hampshire, a prevention group, asked for data showing how many patients need larger amounts and suggested tying quantity to a time period (for example, a 60- or 90-day supply) or to physician prescription rather than a flat possession increase. He said many other states set month-by-month supply rules or physician-prescribed amounts rather than a flat ounce limit.

Brown and other witnesses described how patients sometimes buy larger quantities to produce oils and edibles that stretch across a month. \"When I take 4 ounces of cannabis and I go to make oil with it, there technically is only a 30% return on it,\" Brown said, explaining that smaller purchases can be inefficient for patients who make tinctures or cooking oils at home.

Other witnesses included Joe Hannon, a former state representative and advisory-board member of the New Hampshire Cannabis Association, who urged lawmakers to reduce unnecessary travel and to consider bulk purchases as a harm-reduction and cost-saving measure for medically authorized users.

Opponents and those urging caution asked the committee for better data. Sukhumala said he had assembled comparative charts on state limits and would provide that material, and some committee members asked the therapeutic program and dispensaries for usage and sales data so lawmakers could see how many patients actually reach current limits and what products they purchase.

The committee did not take formal action at the hearing. Supporters argued the bill would improve patient access in rural areas and reduce cost and travel; critics urged collecting more evidence and considering alternatives such as longer refill intervals or physician-prescribed monthly allotments.

The bill remains under consideration in committee; supporters said they would provide data charts from out-of-state comparisons and from dispensaries to answer members’ questions.

Ending note: Witnesses suggested potential compromise amendments — for example, a larger possession limit tied to a longer refill interval — that might address both access and oversight concerns raised by committee members.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/23/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Concord — Lawmakers heard extensive testimony on HB 190, a bill that would raise the legal possession limit for registered therapeutic cannabis patients from 2 ounces to 4 ounces.","taxTitle","Criminal Justice and Public Safety, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17744,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373293,"Panel weighs HB 226 to authorize drug-checking services for harm reduction programs",3349,16346000,19695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da&start=16346&end=19695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da/thumbnail_16346000.jpg","/articles/6373293/New-Hampshire/Panel-weighs-HB-226-to-authorize-drug-checking-services-for-harm-reduction-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373293-1320ac835fd8b77cc88fb077b7b02e3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139770&Signature=cWM~cUZr3L8NWUG7Hy36eeCiKj9NqvALofkZSxq2ONd38FrNpilNlnqEAMXLyUz0zl7-lRtuYmn6FYMu0OSBzNkHQgvnZn6rile1PY8mizaR3zcOjkHgU0YFaonVi4b3hyveruSUhr6JR5~fZONOPaSL90NsZJKwtQOGR8cAyCF1s89fOB7akNS62MZH2nsDv9J8jIaX4ASFcwp9TqPQL3RS5~5iTB~U9a0~RIO4t684bgV8lwA~RsBHkfMR10hST3Un5euh4lTHkSsNghBOP-CHVFZ9ld27y4jMnqxhmoPR~-B5imrrHLh5tsMU3t9I2cW1OGT-YKVp4AGVWhCf-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Concord — The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee considered HB 226, a proposal to explicitly authorize drug-checking equipment and activities when used by registered harm reduction or public-health programs.

Proponents said the measure would legally enable programs to test illicit substances more comprehensively than single-target test strips and to carry out confirmatory analyses that public-health authorities need for rapid warnings. \"We just do not have the information,\" Liz Bowley, director of education and technical assistance at the New Hampshire Harm Reduction Coalition, told the committee.

Representative Jody Newell, who introduced the bill, said the current law permitted single-substance test strips (for example, fentanyl strips) but not the broader range of equipment now available commercially. The bill would add definitions for \"drug checking,\" \"drug checking equipment\" and related terms, carve out an explicit exemption from paraphernalia prohibitions for registered programs, and state that results should not be used for punitive enforcement action.

Public-health and harm-reduction witnesses described practices used in other states. Carrie Nolte, a family nurse practitioner and University of New Hampshire faculty member, described cases in which substances thought to be non-opioid contained fentanyl and caused fatal outcomes. \"I found one of my best friends dead from an overdose. He had been using a substance in order to sort him through. It was not an opiate ... it was confirmed to have fentanyl in it, and that was his cause of death,\" Nolte said.

Harm reduction advocates said current rapid test strips identify only the presence or absence of a single targeted compound and cannot detect combinations or new analogs. Expanded testing — including portable Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) or comparable instruments and confirmatory laboratory testing — can identify multiple constituents in a single sample and reveal unexpected adulterants such as xylazine or benzodiazepines.

Proponents also said clearer legal authority would allow providers to apply for federal and other funding streams they are currently unable to access. Kate Frey of New Futures and other public-health advocates urged passage as part of an \"all-of-the-above\" overdose-prevention strategy that includes naloxone distribution, syringe services and targeted interdiction.

State police raised operational concerns. Major Bill Bright, who oversees the investigative bureau, said the bill as drafted was broad and could be interpreted to allow any person to possess and transport drugs for testing; he urged tighter definitions and procedures for handling, securing and disposing of samples and asked for protections against exploitation or diversion. \"How does somebody bring an illegal, dangerous, narcotic drug somewhere safely in order to get it checked? I don't have that answer,\" Bright said. He also flagged potential liabilities and administrative consequences tied to possession and transport of samples.

Supporters said the draft already narrows the exemption to registered harm-reduction and public-health programs and that they were prepared to work with law enforcement and committee staff on implementation details such as chain-of-custody, storage and confirmatory lab pathways. Representatives of syringe-service and harm-reduction groups described existing client engagement practices: programs often serve as trusted points of contact, distribute naloxone and make treatment referrals, and the presence of testing can prompt risk-reduction behavior.

No vote was taken. Committee members asked sponsors and advocates to provide clarifying language and to work with law enforcement and the Department of Health and Human Services to refine definitions and protocols; the sponsor said an amendment had already been submitted to clarify that the exemption applies only to authorized program employees and not to people bringing samples for testing.

Ending note: Sponsors and advocates said they will provide draft language and operational guidance addressing sample handling and confirmatory testing requirements for the committee’s consideration.","Concord — The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee considered HB 226, a proposal to explicitly authorize drug-checking equipment and activities when used by registered harm reduction or public-health programs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373278,"Supporters urge repeal of extra felony for program participants who sell cannabis; bill would align penalties",1569,20384000,21953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da&start=20384&end=21953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da/thumbnail_20384000.jpg","/articles/6373278/New-Hampshire/Supporters-urge-repeal-of-extra-felony-for-program-participants-who-sell-cannabis-bill-would-align-penalties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373278-f1252eee93d6c8cd0a8ee0ed04f9ff55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139770&Signature=Upigw9OsfaSmVhSKHqWe2KAea5BgQxJvhb9j9dpLL-r2OyKlZvp5nY2DxfBb6mE1EeIopuv1uW05znLBc-2h8si5AJ66sV-Nu2FwVtvkC-kgMipkN9LV6h0Ue4Mpf0weqGsc74T7rJN73hBC86F0q5p-0EWRae0wp5oXDyjMjcfEVr7~zg4hTROzr6oDLKqg3bwRngjyHgohykNoq-KtCLBed1Ct0VrHCeqL2WPiTbLOkBPxH-DjhTQA6aV~4O-8tdaWDsyL2IZ7N7XtwSBv0A9Nzt1BBSuhFi7jGrE6HmlxPDPb4xtrXbOcUXkOzJ7ECoZRPMKRtrmvKEh8A1EGHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Concord — The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on HB 380, a bill to remove an enhanced class‑B felony penalty that applies specifically to registered therapeutic cannabis patients or designated caregivers who sell cannabis to unauthorized people.

Representative Suzanne Vail, sponsor, told the committee that state law currently layers an extra program‑specific felony on top of the general criminal penalties for selling controlled substances. She described the combined effect as excessive and atypical. \"If a qualifying patient or designated caregiver is found to have sold cannabis to an unauthorized individual ... the revocation removes the individual's legal authorization to possess and use therapeutic cannabis,\" she said, summarizing program consequences and telling the committee the additional statutory penalty may discourage participation.

Witnesses described the burden of stacked penalties and their chilling effect on patients. Heather Marie Brown, alternate chair of the therapeutic cannabis medical oversight board and a patient representative, called the program‑specific penalty discriminatory and said it could dissuade eligible patients from enrolling. \"That little piece of the law literally discriminates,\" Brown said, adding that many therapeutic patients have chronic conditions and would not benefit from onerous stacked penalties.

Department of Health and Human Services staff said selling cannabis remains a criminal act under RSA 318‑B and would continue to be prosecuted; HB 380 would remove the additional, program-specific penalty so program participants are subject to the same statutory penalties as anyone else.

Supporters, including Granite Leaf Cannabis operations and the therapeutic-program administrator, argued no change in enforcement authority would occur; prosecutors could still pursue sales under existing controlled-substance sale statutes. They framed the bill as removing a redundant statutory punishment that has a disproportionate effect on medically authorized users.

No committee vote was recorded. Sponsors said removing the program-specific felony would align treatment of participants with broader controlled-substance sale penalties and reduce a barrier to program participation.

Ending note: The committee closed the public hearing; witnesses said they would assist the committee with statutory cross‑references and fiscal or implementation questions if requested.","HB 380 would remove an enhanced, program‑specific felony penalty now applied to registered therapeutic cannabis patients or caregivers who sell cannabis to unauthorized individuals, leaving statutory sale penalties under the Controlled Drug Act intact. Supporters said the enhanced penalty discourages participation and is redundant; witnesses",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373282,"Committee hears HB 198 to legalize possession of up to 2 ounces for adults",1755,12370000,14125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da&start=12370&end=14125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da/thumbnail_12370000.jpg","/articles/6373282/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-HB-198-to-legalize-possession-of-up-to-2-ounces-for-adults","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373282-bf360967d7ca00587f1f715fd39c9dc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139770&Signature=meIvDfhif4H7VaZS8L6UqhJjH6Ud6aIPaS~AOPqVRC8TIapzkC8JpcjoqOwRWbM8rsAEWvIp74oSh5237RMzHHY6OOl8Yq5h5RO~4~lnNZf2kvB-dUbJtK-GBAxbJNlgGYVqdJD88L-tKPuTysc4dkDNvkE7pY48cNf28Tm~yPY6pDrHOaGOYlOkU6rmYPU6ff20cbEn4NG1ZlszczYUnFx-rM1MYNGUHJK~wqZBFy-tO6vnIQvrzP1ehyrkp07bEOFOLH0-A3DZ86nyx58iozWtxAaVbBTQLNojQuJSNDnLpicpYgpoHRmBCPvwlKiuOVqKexP1onDiPjvlSU80gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Concord — The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee reviewed HB 198, a measure to legalize adult possession of up to 2 ounces of cannabis while maintaining prohibitions on sale, public smoking and impaired driving.

Representative Sullivan, sponsor, said the bill is intended to remove criminal penalties for simple possession by adults 21 and older without immediately creating a retail regulatory system. \"The goal of this is simply to legalize this and allow for, reasonable quantities of possession which is 2 ounces,\" Sullivan said. He noted Vermont used a similar two-step approach, legalizing possession first and addressing regulation later.

Supporters argued the bill would stop arresting adults for nonviolent possession and reduce cross-border purchasing anomalies. Jim Riddle of Hillsborough, speaking for himself, said the bill \"doesn't create any new bureaucracy and it doesn't cost taxpayers any money\" and argued the state should avoid a state-run monopoly model.

Lawmakers asked about juvenile consequences and about when a possession offense becomes a matter for juvenile delinquency. Committee discussion clarified that under current law, possession by people under 18 remains a delinquency matter and possession by 18–20 year olds remains a violation; the bill would remove the violation for those 21 and older.

Representatives also pressed sponsors about a number of public-safety questions, including enforcement of impaired driving laws for drugs (there is no simple breath-test equivalent for cannabis) and how open-container or open-possession rules in vehicles would apply. Sponsors noted existing DUI and open-container statutes would continue to apply and that the bill would add or retain penalties for public smoking and vaping.

There was no committee vote. Sponsors and advocates urged legislators to treat legalization of possession as a pragmatic first step that would remove criminal penalties for many residents while leaving regulation of retail sales and licensing to a later stage.

Ending note: The committee closed the hearing with no action; supporters said the two-step approach (legalize possession, regulate sales later) has precedent and may be more politically feasible than a combined regulatory package.","HB 198 would legalize simple possession of up to 2 ounces of cannabis for adults 21 and older while leaving sale and licensing to a later process. Supporters framed it as a narrow, pragmatic step to stop arresting adults for possession; witnesses urged clarification of public-smoking rules and juvenile penalties.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373287,"Committee hears bill to proactively annul low‑level past cannabis convictions",2314,4574000,6888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da&start=4574&end=6888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2146046-1800c90b597ee97bb2a4e594c7f234da/thumbnail_4574000.jpg","/articles/6373287/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-bill-to-proactively-annul-lowlevel-past-cannabis-convictions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373287-efa113b0c004f52be721848af0a5f656/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139770&Signature=ntjI0kFFB36dQAGd96vfYwGE0Sg4VDEbUT5kH6Dxe8LC1f4IhUjtPlNZyhLjIBM56DqxPIXg-7Jh~fDZOlMyKGzdwv2~42SCAINrZIYi~EsuUK5JJr9~6VBuIHlpn5x-NPygGjJg4wPxX32gdAJwMoyi9dH34Balt7XsqGpW1ZD-oT6Q7~qkExqTxeAvYmsjSycx~M59W6LLrt5moToPY2cMk1Hu8WODAMaEmHZt~GvR1Y1UVQwBXkIx8ngPFrn4mPsAEpdgJVkTyqPEdZAy7z9t3Wx9-lKZNoTnd1evYwd36cglm34xZlDLfOdnQtr4HLGXzUsOBNf7oEB17EuZPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Concord — Lawmakers debated HB 196, a bill that would direct a proactive process for annulling past misdemeanor and violation-level cannabis possession convictions and allow petition for those missed by the proactive review.

Representative (sponsor) said the bill is intended to help people whose records still show convictions for low-level cannabis possession even as state policy has moved away from frequent criminal prosecution. \"The point behind the legislation is similar to what the spirit behind governor Sununu's decriminalization law and its annulment provision was...the state is moving forward on this issue as other states have,\" the sponsor told the committee.

Supporters included Heather Marie Brown, a patient-representative on the therapeutic cannabis oversight board, who described her own difficulty navigating the existing annulment petition process and said the administrative burdens and legal costs discouraged eligible people from seeking relief. \"It was such a long and meticulous ... process ... it was going to cost me more money that I just unfortunately didn't have,\" Brown said, describing the current petition practice as effectively inaccessible to low-income people.

Joe Hannon, a former state representative and an advisory board member for the New Hampshire Cannabis Association, also supported the bill, saying that records can impede housing, federal benefits and employment. Dr. Hannon and other witnesses urged the committee to consider the bill as restorative of people who served punishments when the law was stricter.

Law-enforcement testimony voiced concern about sweeping, automatic annulments and the potential for annulling the records of people with more extensive criminal histories. Sergeant/Lieutenant (New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police) said the current annulment process allows an individualized review and cautioned that a wide sweep \"kinda loops everybody in\" including people who may have additional charges on their records.

Major Bright of the state police asked whether the Department of Safety had systems and resources to conduct the proposed record review and whether the office could implement the directive within an 18-month window. Committee members asked for fiscal and IT capability information and said they would seek a fiscal note from the Department of Safety.

Supporters stressed the bill would not affect people currently serving sentences, would only cover misdemeanor and violation-level charges for cannabis possession and would allow missed individuals to petition the court. The sponsor noted similar \"clean-slate\" laws in other states but said HB 196 is narrower in scope.

No committee vote was taken. Several members asked the sponsor to coordinate with the Department of Safety to determine implementation feasibility and cost and to provide clarifying language for how the department would identify and process eligible records.

Ending note: The committee signaled interest but asked for fiscal and technical details from the Department of Safety before further action.","HB 196 would direct the Department of Safety to annul certain past misdemeanor or violation-level cannabis possession convictions or permit individuals missed in a proactive process to petition the court. Supporters framed the bill as a way to clear obstacles to housing, employment and federal benefits for people with old records; law enforcement","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears testimony to double therapeutic cannabis possession limit to 4 ounces

Panel weighs HB 226 to authorize drug-checking services for harm reduction programs

Supporters urge repeal of extra felony for program participants who sell cannabis; bill would align penalties

Committee hears HB 198 to legalize possession of up to 2 ounces for adults

Committee hears bill to proactively annul low‑level past cannabis convictions