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New Hampshire Senators Reject House-Passed Marijuana Legalization Bill

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2 months ago

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New Hampshire senators have rejected it The bill passed by the House to legalize marijuana in the state.

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing Tuesday on Rep. Jared Sullivan’s (D) HB 186, debating its merits as lawmakers push again to end the ban as neighboring states have done. After taking testimony, however, the jury voted 2-1 that the measure is “unfit to legislate.”

The bill passed by a vote of 208-135 last month.

“This provides a very good framework for how we would regulate the sale of cannabis and cannabis products in the state,” Sullivan told senators before the committee’s vote.

“I understand that it’s not a popular idea among many members, but I would say it’s a very popular idea among most people in the state,” he said. “The most recent poll I could find shows 70 percent of people in the state want legalization, including 55 percent of Republicans. I think it’s time to do what people want to do and match what most places in this country are doing now.”




In New Hampshire, all bills are considered for a vote even when they receive a negative committee recommendation, so the panel’s decision may be overturned by the full Senate when the legislation is taken up.

If enacted, HB 186 would make it legal for anyone over the age of 21 to possess cannabis products containing 10 grams of concentrate and 2 grams of THC. Six plants could also be grown at home, three of which could be mature.

Past cannabis possession convictions would be vacated, and non-discriminatory protections would be established for consumers, including for medical care, public benefits, child care and government employment.

A new Cannabis Commission would be created to license and regulate the marijuana industry, along with a Cannabis Advisory Board.

Sales of recreational cannabis would be taxed at 8.5 percent, with revenue split between the program’s administration, municipalities, substance abuse programs, public safety agencies and the state’s general fund.

Localities across the state would hold ballot referendums asking voters whether they want to allow the retail sale of marijuana.

“Prohibition makes control impossible. Unregulated cannabis is often contaminated with obscenities, dangerous pesticides and heavy metals,” Marihuana Policy Project (MPP) state policy director Karen O’Keefe said in testimony to the commission. “Legislation only supports common sense rules: requiring licensees to verify ID, banning lab testing, pesticides and dangerous additives, and mandating child-friendly packaging.”

“Adults should be treated as adults in the live or die state. The High Court has not banned eating junk food, being sedentary, climbing, riding motorcycles or drinking alcohol, despite the risks involved in these activities,” he said. “The Granite States fully agree that even adults should not be punished by their government for using cannabis, a plant that is far less toxic, addictive and addictive than alcohol.”

Sullivan’s legalization proposal is one of several cannabis proposals introduced for the 2026 session, including legislation by Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D), which seeks to put a constitutional amendment on the state ballot. let voters decide whether they want to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older“having a modest amount of cannabis for their personal use.” Members of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee took up that bill at the end of last month.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) has already threatened to veto the legalization bill that reaches his desk, even though the proposal to amend the Constitution would not require gubernatorial action.

The governor said in August his position on the reform it would not change, even if the federal government moved forward with reorganizing the plant. Since then, President Donald Trump has ordered the attorney general to complete the process of moving cannabis from Schedule I to III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

At a committee meeting last year, Sullivan ultimately made a persuasive argument for moving forward with his legalization bill, pointing out. The House has repeatedly passed similar legislation and that the House should stand its ground, forcing the Senate and the governor to once again oppose a policy that is popular with voters.

“We know where it’s going. Let’s send a virtue signal,” Sullivan said. “Let them be the ones to piss off the voters who care about this.”

In the Senate, the Judiciary Committee also took up a bill by Sen. Donovan Fenton (D) last month. this allows adults over the age of 21 to possess up to four ounces of cannabis in plant form and 20 grams of concentrated cannabis products, as well as other products containing no more than 2,000 milligrams of THC.

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It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
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Meanwhile, New Hampshire lawmakers recently advanced a bipartisan bill legalize the regulated use of psilocybin for medical purposeswhile omitting a separate measure on therapeutic access to psychedelics.

Last June, the New Hampshire Senate voted to repeal the compromise legislation It would lower the state’s criminal penalty for first-time possession of psilocybin also creating mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl.

As originally introduced, the legislation would completely remove the penalties for obtaining, purchasing, transporting, possessing or using psilocybin, effectively legalizing it on an off-trade basis. However, a The House Committee amended the bill before it could advance unanimously last march

user photo Brian Shamblen.

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Critical updates for cannabis taxpayers as the 2025 filing deadline approaches

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9 hours ago

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April 5, 2026

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With the April 2025 tax return filing deadline fast approaching, cannabis companies must once again face the burden of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 280E”). Despite significant developments over the past year — including a major executive order from President Trump and the IRS, for the first time, disclosing legal reasoning funds to keep state cannabis “within the meaning” of Section 280E — taxpayer scrutiny remains the same.

However, whether substantively or psychologically, these recent developments weigh on how taxpayers should deal with Section 280E. Below, we summarize the key developments that cannabis taxpayers should be aware of as they prepare their 2025 returns.

As discussed in previous publications, Section 280E provides: “(e) no deduction or credit shall be allowed for any amount paid or incurred in the course of any trade or business during the taxable year, if such trade or business (or the activities constituting such trade or business) is trafficking in controlled substances (controlled substance classes I and II prohibited by State or Federal law).

Because cannabis is now listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the IRS has consistently maintained that Section 280E applies to state-licensed cannabis businesses, significantly increasing their effective tax rates.

Read more at JD above










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Louisiana Senators Approve Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana Use In Hospitals For Terminally Ill Patients

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9 hours ago

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April 5, 2026

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A Louisiana Senate panel has advanced a bill to allow patients with terminal and irreversible conditions to use medical marijuana in hospitals.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the legislation, SB 270 (D) by Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews, with amendments, on a voice vote Wednesday.

“This bill was introduced at the request of voters who believe that therapeutic medical marijuana, which is already legal in this state, should be offered in hospitals when the terminally ill or otherwise need the comfort of this medicine,” Jackson-Andrews said before the vote.

Under the proposal, hospitals would have to create written policies to allow covered patients to consume medical cannabis in forms other than smoking or vaporizing it.

Under an amendment approved by the panel, emergency or outpatient departments would be exempt from the policy. The revised legislation also clarifies that patients and primary caregivers are responsible for obtaining and administering medical marijuana, which “must be securely stored at all times in a sealed container provided by the patient.”

Health care professionals and staff would be prohibited from “administering, storing, retrieving, or assisting a patient with medical marijuana.” the text he says

The amendment, which the proponent worked out with the help of the Louisiana Hospital Association, also allows hospitals to opt out of the policy if federal officials take action against any health care facility in the state regarding the use of medical cannabis, instead of allowing those specifically targeted to stop serving.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Meanwhile, in Louisiana, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee passed a bill last week create a pilot psychedelic-assisted therapy program using opioid settlement dollars to fund clinical trials to develop alternative treatments such as psilocybin and ibogaine.

Lawmakers are also considering a bill creating a pilot program to legalize marijuana for adults in the state, in the end, to determine whether the reform should be expanded and permanently codified.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

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Cresco Labs gets Texas license

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1 day ago

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April 4, 2026

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Cresco Labs has obtained a Texas Compassionate Use Program License. It is a vertically integrated license that allows Cresco Labs to cultivate, process and distribute medical cannabis.

“Texas patients deserve access to consistent, quality medicine, and we’re excited. Our track record in medical markets reflects our ability to build strong programs that put patients and communities first,” said Charlie Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs. “Winning a license in Texas through a merit-based application demonstrates Cresco Labs’ deep regulatory expertise and thoughtful approach to meaningful local engagement. Organic licenses enable capital-efficient market entry, and our cash flow and balance sheet give us the financial flexibility to invest in and grow our scaled platform for the long term.”

This license advances Cresco Labs’ state-by-state growth strategy and ensures access to one of the largest patient populations in the United States. Texas is the nation’s second most populous state, approaching 30 million people, and continues to see ongoing legislative efforts to improve patient access and expand eligibility.










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