Update: Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 640, which amends possession penalties for up to 3/4 of an ounce of marijuana and up to five grams of hashish, into law on July 18. The new decriminalization law takes effect in 60 days.
Update: The House concurred with the amended Senate bill on June 1 and the bill will soon be transmitted to the Governor.
Update: The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted to approve the Senate’s amended version of HB 640 on May 23.
Update: Gov. Chris Sununu tweeted on May 11 that he “looks forward” to signing HB 640 into law.
Update: Members of the Senate on May 11 voted 17 to 6 in favor of HB 640. Because the Senate amended the bill’s language, it must return to the House for a concurrence vote. Once reconciled, the bill goes to the Governor.
Update: Governor Chris Sununu has reiterated his support for decriminalizing marijuana.
Update: Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee approved an amended version of HB 640 on May 2. As amended, the measure eliminates criminal penalties for the possession of up to 3/4 of an ounce of marijuana. The full Senate its anticipated to vote on the measure on May 11.
Update: State Sen. Bradley is pushing for an amendment that would remove the decriminalization paragraph (and thus the whole point) from the bill.
Update: HB 640 had a Senate hearing April 11 but a vote was not taken.
Update: Members of the full House approved HB 640 on March 8 by a vote of 318 to 36. The measure now awaits action from the Senate.
After nearly a decade of frustration, 2017 may finally be the year that New Hampshire voters successfully see marijuana possession decriminalized.
HB 640, sponsored by 6 Republicans and 6 Democrats, will amend criminal penalties for marijuana possession is pending in the House, where lawmakers have overwhelmingly supported such efforts for eight years in a row. However, legislators this year are hopeful that, for the first time, they also have sufficient votes to also clear the Senate.
In addition, new Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said during his campaign he would support decriminalizing marijuana.
New Hampshire is the only New England state that has not either decriminalized or legalized adult marijuana use. But this year opposition has melted away as New Futures, a substance abuse nonprofit and past opponent, announced they will not oppose the measure.
Please use the pre-written letter below to contact your state elected officials and urging them to support this legislative effort.
