Sponsor: Rep. Carol McGuire (R-Epsom)

Cosponsors: Rep. Rebecca McWilliams (D-Concord), Rep. Chris True (R-Sandown), Rep. Tony Lekas (R-Hudson), Rep. Kevin Verville (R-Deerfield), and Rep. Michael Sylvia (R-Belmont)

 Key Provisions

• Adults 21 and older could possess up to ¾ of an ounce of cannabis, five grams of hashish, and up to 300 mg of cannabis-infused products (currently a violation punishable by a civil fine).
• Adults 21 and older could cultivate up to six plants (including up to three mature ones) at home in a secure location that is not visible from other properties. They could also possess and process the cannabis produced from their plants at the same location.
• Adults could give cannabis to other adults, provided it was no more than ¾ of an ounce of cannabis, five grams of hashish, up to 300 mg of cannabis-infused products, and/or three immature plants.
• Consuming cannabis in public would be punishable by a $100 fine. (This is only for adults, as possession is already illegal for minors.)
• Violating the restrictions on cultivation (such as if cultivation is visible to the public) would be a violation punishable by a fine of up to $750.
• Dangerous, volatile extraction would be a Class A misdemeanor.
• Adults could possess, make, and sell (to other adults) cannabis accessories.
• Penalties for minors would remain unchanged.

Differences from the Current Decriminalization Framework

• Adults 21 and older would no longer be penalized for possessing or producing cannabis. Under current law, possession of up to ¾ of an ounce is punishable by a $100 civil fine for a first offense, with the fine increasing for third or subsequent offenses. Cultivation typically carries up to a year in jail under existing law.
• Adults could produce their own cannabis-infused products. Under New Hampshire’s decriminalization law, the civil fine only applies to cannabis-infused products purchased in a state where they are legal.

NOTE: HB 629 is nearly identical to HB 1648 (2020), which passed the House in a 236-112 vote. The only difference is the effective date: HB 629 would take effect on January 1, 2022.