While the state of New Hampshire has taken some steps toward reasonable cannabis policy, including the implementation of a comprehensive medical cannabis law, it still has a ways to go.
CBD from Hemp Oil in New Hampshire
Hemp CBD oil is federally legal in the U.S. Individual state laws, however, are dynamic and some states have and will enact their own laws regulating hemp-derived CBD.
Medical Cannabis in New Hampshire
New Hampshire took a huge step forward by passing a comprehensive medical cannabis law in 2013. Gov. Maggie Hassan signed House Bill 573 to legalize medical cannabis on July 23, 2013, but the roll-out was plagued with delays and the first dispensary didn’t open until April 2016.
Under the law, registered patients are allowed to possess up to 2 ounces of usable cannabis. The state currently has four open and operational dispensaries. The law does not allow for qualified patients to cultivate cannabis at home.
In order for patients to be eligible for New Hampshire’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program, a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse must issue a written certification that certifies that a patient has BOTH a condition listed here AND a symptom listed in the second list:
CONDITION:
|
SYMPTOM:
|
You can find New Hampshire’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program website, here.
Recreational Cannabis in New Hampshire
On July 18, 2017, New Hampshire’s new governor Chris Sununu (R) signed into law House Bill 640, which makes the first and second offense of possession of up to three quarters of an ounce of cannabis or up to five grams of hash a civil offense punishable by a $100 fine, rather than a criminal offense. A fine of up to $300 for any subsequent offense within three years may be applied. A fourth offense within a three-year period may result in a person being charged with a misdemeanor. Police cannot arrest someone for a cannabis violation, and minors caught with possession are subject to a delinquency petition. The money collected from fines will go to a fund dedicated to alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment.
With the passing of the law, New Hampshire became the 22nd U.S. state to decriminalize marijuana and the last of the New England states. It goes into effect 60 days after signing.
Cultivation of Cannabis in New Hampshire
Growing cannabis for medical or personal purposes remains illegal. Governor Maggie Hassan signed House Bill 421 in July 2015, authorizing the University of New Hampshire to grow industrial hemp for research purposes.
Resources:
- http://norml.org/laws/item/new-hampshire-penalties-2
- http://medicalCannabis.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881
- https://www.mpp.org/states/new-hampshire/
