Committee Summary for House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/23/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB75 00:03:38.959 - 9:02:44 AM	Public Hearing	legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older.	Verville, Kevin(R)[B+]2024
HB190 01:00:29.319 - 9:59:35 AM	Public Hearing	relative to therapeutic cannabis possession limits.	Howard, Heath(D)[F]2024
HB198 03:33:14.920 - 12:32:20 PM	Public Hearing	relative to legalizing certain quantities of cannabis and establishing penalties for the smoking or vaping of cannabis in public.	Sullivan, Jared(D)[D+]2024
HB226 04:32:25.319 - 1:31:31 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the use of drug checking equipment.	Newell, Jodi(D)[D-]2024
HB380 05:39:16.760 - 2:38:22 PM	Public Hearing	relative to penalties for criminal violations of the therapeutic use of cannabis.	Vail, Suzanne(D)[CT]2024

HB75: Representative of Erville Information Only00:03:38.959 - 9:02:44 AM; The representative introduced House Bill 75 on behalf of the prime sponsor who was absent. The bill aims to legalize cannabis for individuals aged 21 and older by removing its classification from the Controlled Drug Act. The representative clarified that the bill does not address recreational use or sales but solely focuses on legalization. They declined to take questions as they did not author the bill.
HB190: Representative Heath Howard of Strafford and Barrington Support01:00:29.319 - 9:59:35 AM; Representative Howard introduced HB 190, which proposes to increase the therapeutic cannabis purchase and possession limit from 2 to 4 ounces. He emphasized that this change does not legalize recreational use and is intended to benefit medical patients by reducing the need for frequent trips to dispensaries. He shared his personal experience as a therapeutic cannabis patient, highlighting the benefits of larger doses and the challenges due to limited dispensary locations in the state. He was open to questions and provided detailed responses about the use of cannabis in bulk for making oils and edibles, and the geographical challenges faced by patients, especially in the North Country.
HB190: The Honorable Tom Manion Support01:08:29.719 - 10:07:35 AM; Tom Manion expressed support for HB 190, emphasizing the burden of multiple trips to dispensaries for medical relief. He mentioned the convenience of bulk buying and the challenges faced by patients in the North Country due to long travel distances to dispensaries. He noted that while he is not an expert or a user, he hears about the struggles of family members and others, and supports the bill to alleviate these issues.
HB190: Suk Homa on behalf of SAM New Hampshire Oppose01:09:16.198 - 10:08:22 AM; Suk Homa, representing SAM New Hampshire, a drug prevention group, opposed HB 190. He argued that increasing the possession limit to 4 ounces without extending the number of days for possession does not effectively reduce travel time. He expressed concern over the lack of data supporting the need for increased limits and suggested alternative models from other states, such as doctor-prescribed amounts. He also raised concerns about the totality of medical marijuana legislation being considered and its potential impact on law enforcement and the program's safeguards.
HB190: Heather Marie Brown, patient representative for the Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board Support01:15:47.000 - 10:14:53 AM; Heather Marie Brown, speaking on behalf of the Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board, expressed unanimous support for HB 190. She highlighted the challenges of cost, affordability, and accessibility for patients. Brown shared her personal experience, detailing how the current limits force her to choose between different forms of cannabis intake, which affects her treatment. She explained how increasing the limit to 4 ounces would allow patients like her to prepare enough cannabis products to last a month, reducing the need for frequent trips and the feeling of violating the law. She urged the committee to support the bill to improve patient access and treatment options.
HB190: Joe Hannon, former State Representative, member of the 2018 commission to study legalization and taxation of marijuana, and on the Advisory Board for the New Hampshire Cannabis Association Support01:35:47.719 - 10:34:53 AM; Joe Hannon supports HB190, highlighting the difficulty some patients face in leaving their homes due to medical conditions, which makes frequent trips to dispensaries challenging. He emphasizes the need for bulk buying to reduce costs and travel, particularly for those with chronic conditions or in hospice care. Hannon also discusses the benefits of edibles over smoking for harm reduction and road safety, and notes that increased possession limits could deter patients from using the black market. He references his experience in disaster zones and the importance of having adequate medication during emergencies. Hannon also touches on the potential for home growing as a way to reduce dependence on dispensaries, though he acknowledges its challenges. He argues that the current limits on cannabis possession are unnecessary and potentially harmful, comparing them to other medications that are more dangerous yet freely prescribed.
HB190: Matt Simon, Granite Leaf Cannabis, a nonprofit therapeutic cannabis alternative treatment center Support01:53:53.360 - 10:52:59 AM; Matt Simon supports HB190, explaining that it would help accommodate patients with higher needs, particularly those in outlying areas far from dispensaries. He mentions the complexity of tracking patient allotments due to the variety of cannabis products available, which confuses patients and requires significant staff time to explain. Simon suggests a potential compromise to the bill's current 10-day limit, proposing a 4-ounce limit every 15 or 20 days to better serve patients in remote areas. He also discusses the efforts of Granite Leaf Cannabis to lower prices despite market pressures from neighboring states and addresses concerns about synthetic cannabinoids and the need for natural cannabis access. Simon emphasizes the importance of protecting patient information from federal agents and highlights the therapeutic benefits for over 15,000 registered patients in New Hampshire.
HB190: Unnamed Speaker Information Only02:18:10.200 - 11:17:16 AM; The speaker raised a question regarding the effective date of the bill, which seemed to be prior to January 25th. The question was withdrawn after clarification.
HB190: Representative Murray Information Only02:18:44.439 - 11:17:50 AM; Representative Murray discussed a situation where a friend was denied an apartment due to a past cannabis possession charge that was later dropped. He inquired if the bill would address such situations, particularly if an annulment would clear records sufficiently to prevent such denials. The response highlighted that the legislation aims to help individuals from past decades who faced intense prosecution, suggesting the annulment process would assist in showing rehabilitation to landlords, employers, or banks.
HB190: Unnamed Speaker Information Only02:21:05.120 - 11:20:11 AM; The speaker mentioned a New Hampshire law that prohibits asking about convictions that have been annulled, adding a layer of protection. They also noted that housing issues, especially with federal housing, might still pose challenges.
HB190: Representative Tom Manion Support02:22:08.080 - 11:21:14 AM; Representative Manion supported the bill, emphasizing its potential to protect individuals from federal firearm purchase restrictions due to cannabis use. He mentioned the ATF Form 4473 and the risk of felony charges for lying about cannabis use, suggesting the bill's annulment provision could mitigate this risk.
HB190: Heather Marie Brown Support02:23:42.840 - 11:22:48 AM; Heather Marie Brown shared her personal experience with cannabis arrests and how they hindered her career in the medical field. She supported the bill for its potential to clear records, which would enable her and others to pursue employment, housing, and education without the burden of past convictions. She emphasized the financial and procedural difficulties of the current annulment process.
HB190: Dr. Joe Hannah Support02:29:06.080 - 11:28:12 AM; Dr. Joe Hannah supported the bill, highlighting the disproportionate impact of cannabis laws on certain demographics and the low number of federal convictions compared to the widespread use of cannabis. He criticized the selective enforcement of cannabis laws and the societal stigma attached to convictions, advocating for annulments to remove these barriers and enable individuals to contribute to society fully.
HB190: Lieutenant Catalo, New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police Oppose02:36:05.439 - 11:35:11 AM; Lieutenant Catalo, representing the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, opposed the bill due to its sweeping annulment provisions for misdemeanor and violation level cannabis offenses. He argued that the current annulment law is adequate and more appropriate as it is case-specific and helps individuals demonstrate rehabilitation. He expressed concerns about the practicality of implementing such broad annulments and the potential for automatic annulments for individuals with ongoing criminal activity.
HB198: Representative Sullivan Support03:33:14.920 - 12:32:20 PM; Representative Sullivan introduced HB198, aimed at legalizing the possession of cannabis without addressing its sale. He highlighted the bill's similarity to previous legislation passed by the house and its goal to stop arrests for possession of up to 2 ounces, emphasizing public support and the acceptance of cannabis use among adults.
HB198: Representative Heath Howard, Stratford and Barrington Support03:36:41.640 - 12:35:47 PM; Representative Howard supported HB198, which legalizes possession of up to 2 ounces of cannabis for recreational use by adults over 21. He noted that the bill maintains penalties for public smoking and vaping, does not legalize sales or allow operation of vehicles while under the influence, and described it as a compromise to protect individuals from simple possession arrests.
HB198: Jim Riddle, Hillsboro Support03:42:12.120 - 12:41:18 PM; Jim Riddle supported HB198 for not creating new bureaucracy or costs for taxpayers. He highlighted the bill's increase in the possession limit to 2 ounces and its prohibition of public smoking and vaping. Riddle also discussed the benefits of legal cannabis markets in other states and how HB198 could save on enforcement costs in New Hampshire.
HB198: Matt Simon, Granite Leaf Cannabis Support03:45:51.319 - 12:44:57 PM; Matt Simon from Granite Leaf Cannabis supports HB198, emphasizing that it does not impact the therapeutic cannabis program but is supported as a matter of principle. He shares his experiences working on cannabis legalization in New Hampshire and other states, highlighting that legalization involves numerous policy choices beyond a simple yes or no question. He discusses Vermont's approach to legalization, which initially focused on decriminalizing possession for adults, leading to broader regulation later. Simon suggests that passing this bill would simplify the debate in New Hampshire, focusing on whether adults should be punished for possession, and sees it as a strategic move forward in cannabis policy.
HB198: Joe Hannon Support03:53:39.560 - 12:52:45 PM; Joe Hannon supports HB198, noting that it resolves many contentious issues that have hindered cannabis legislation in the past. He mentions his involvement in a commission in 2018 and praises the bill for addressing how cannabis can be distributed to people, suggesting that its passage would be a significant step forward.
HB226: Jod N, representing Chesher 4 and Kean Support04:32:25.319 - 1:31:31 PM; Jod N, representing Chesher 4 and Kean, supports HB226, which aims to implement a policy to analyze substances on the streets for harm reduction. They explain that the bill allows organizations registered with DHHS to use equipment for deeper substance analysis, not just test strips, to understand street substances better. They walk through the bill's provisions, noting amendments to clarify and expand exemptions for drug checking equipment and materials, and stress the importance of this policy in saving lives and targeting assistance where needed.
HB226: Lauren Selig, representing Strafford 10, Durham Support04:41:06.798 - 1:40:12 PM; Lauren Selig from Strafford 10, Durham, supports HB226, emphasizing the public safety aspect of the bill. She highlights the importance of keeping people alive to help them with addiction recovery, noting the bill's role in preventing overdoses by ensuring substances are free from unexpected dangerous components. She shares a personal story of three young people who died from an overdose in Littleton, NH, a year ago, underscoring the urgency of the bill.
HB226: David Muse, representing Rockingham 37, Portsmouth, Newcastle, and Newington Support04:43:31.440 - 1:42:37 PM; David Muse from Rockingham 37, representing Portsmouth, Newcastle, and Newington, supports HB226. He discusses the progress made in reducing opioid deaths in New Hampshire over the past few years and attributes this to an all-of-the-above strategy, including law enforcement efforts and harm reduction services. He explains that the bill would legalize innovations in drug checking equipment and opioid reversal agents, making the law more responsive and facilitating the deployment of new technologies to save lives. He addresses the issue of nominal amounts of drugs for testing, noting the removal of this from the bill to avoid legal complications, and expresses willingness to work with law enforcement to pass the bill.
HB226: Tom Manion, representing Hillsboro 1, Pelham Support04:53:28.558 - 1:52:34 PM; Tom Manion from Hillsboro 1, Pelham, supports HB226, emphasizing its role in public safety and harm reduction. He argues that the War on Drugs should prioritize saving lives, and that state laws should not hinder efforts like the use of test strips that could prevent overdoses. He briefly states his support, noting that other speakers have covered the points he wanted to make.
HB226: Representative Christine Cybert, Hillsboro District 21 Support04:54:21.040 - 1:53:27 PM; Representative Christine Cybert from Hillsboro District 21 expressed her support for the legislation, noting her role as a co-sponsor. She emphasized the importance of the bill as a vital tool in combating substance use issues, citing past legislative successes and the need for further action to support law enforcement and first responders. She believes the changes proposed are necessary to make a significant difference in communities.
HB226: Liz Bley, Director of Education and Technical Assistance, New Hampshire Harm Reduction Coalition Support04:56:34.718 - 1:55:40 PM; Liz Bley, representing the New Hampshire Harm Reduction Coalition, voiced support for HB226. She shared her extensive experience working with individuals who use drugs, those who are unhoused, and those in recovery. Bley highlighted the need for drug checking to understand the composition of illicit drugs in New Hampshire, emphasizing the dangers of synthetic opioids and adulterants like xylazine and benzodiazepines. She stressed that drug checking could prevent overdoses, aid in treatment, and provide critical data on drug supplies, ultimately enhancing public health efforts.
HB226: Dr. Carrie Noti, Family Nurse Practitioner, University of New Hampshire Support05:03:31.920 - 2:02:37 PM; Dr. Carrie Noti, a family nurse practitioner and academic at the University of New Hampshire, supported HB226, emphasizing its role in harm reduction. She provided insights into her work with the homeless and in harm reduction research, and shared personal experiences with the impact of drug overdoses. Noti explained that comprehensive drug checking could address the evolving drug market, including non-opiate substances, and stressed the need for New Hampshire to adopt these measures to prevent overdoses and facilitate recovery.
HB226: Kate Fry, Vice President of Advocacy, New Futures Support05:25:17.000 - 2:24:23 PM; Kate Fry from New Futures expressed support for HB226, emphasizing it as another tool in New Hampshire's efforts to combat overdoses. She highlighted the success of previous harm reduction strategies like the Good Samaritan law and Narcan distribution, and stressed the importance of adapting to the changing drug market. Fry provided resources on drug checking programs in other states and underscored the need for comprehensive drug checking to stay ahead of drug supply trends.
HB226: Major Bill Brigh, New Hampshire State Police Oppose05:27:11.040 - 2:26:17 PM; Major Bill Brigh from the New Hampshire State Police expressed opposition to HB226 as currently written, citing concerns about its broad language and potential for exploitation. He questioned the safety and logistics of transporting and handling illegal narcotics for testing, and raised issues about the immunity offered to individuals involved in drug checking. Brigh emphasized the need for clear procedures and accountability to prevent misuse and ensure public safety.
HB380: Representative Suzanne Vail, Nashua Ward 3 Support05:39:16.760 - 2:38:22 PM; Representative Suzanne Vail from Nashua Ward 3 introduced HB380, which aims to address the double jeopardy effect faced by participants in the therapeutic cannabis program. She detailed the severe penalties for unauthorized sales, including revocation of registry identification cards and multiple class B felony charges. Vail argued that these harsh penalties could deter eligible patients from participating and emphasized the need for proportionality in penalties to ensure fairness and encourage the use of therapeutic cannabis over more dangerous medications.
HB380: Joe Hannon Support05:48:32.798 - 2:47:38 PM; Joe Hannon voiced support for HB380, though he felt it did not go far enough. He argued against the disproportionate punishment for selling medical cannabis compared to other crimes, citing Article 18 of the New Hampshire Constitution which states that penalties should be proportionate to offenses. Hannon questioned the fairness and constitutionality of imposing severe penalties for selling medical-grade cannabis, especially when compared to other offenses like aggravated sexual assault, and suggested that the bill would address these inequities.
HB380: Representative Christine Cybert, Manchester Ward 1, Hillsboro District 21 Support05:51:09.280 - 2:50:15 PM; Representative Christine Cybert from Manchester Ward 1, Hillsboro District 21, supported HB380, viewing it as a means to reduce harsh penalties for medical cannabis users. She argued that the current penalties act as a deterrent for using therapeutic cannabis, which is often a safer alternative to opioids for managing chronic pain. Cybert believes that the existing barriers and penalties are sufficient, and stacking multiple felony charges is unnecessary and overly punitive.
HB380: Heather Marie Brown, New Hampshire Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board Support05:53:57.478 - 2:53:03 PM; Heather Marie Brown, serving as the patient representative on the New Hampshire Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board, expressed her strong support for HB380. She argued that the current law, which imposes an additional felony on therapeutic cannabis patients for selling cannabis, is discriminatory. She emphasized that this law categorizes patients as individuals with disabilities or conditions, thus treating them unjustly compared to others. Brown also highlighted that the fear induced by this law discourages potential patients from joining the program, as they are scared of the legal repercussions even for minor infractions. She pointed out that therapeutic cannabis is too expensive to be sold profitably, and the law is outdated given the availability of cannabis in neighboring states. She concluded by advocating for the removal of this discriminatory aspect to alleviate fear among vulnerable patients.
HB380: Matt Simon, Granite Leaf Cannabis Support05:58:03.798 - 2:57:09 PM; Matt Simon from Granite Leaf Cannabis supported HB380, reflecting on his involvement in the original therapeutic cannabis law from 2009 to 2013. He noted that the primary concern during the law's passage was the fear of diversion, leading to the addition of an extra felony for patients selling cannabis. Simon argued that this additional penalty is unnecessary as selling or dispensing cannabis without a license is already a felony under RSA 318b. He believes the extra felony discourages participation in the program due to the added scrutiny and hopes for its removal in the current year.
HB380: Michael Holt, Department of Health and Human Services Support06:01:07.200 - 3:00:13 PM; Michael Holt, the administrator of the therapeutic cannabis program at the Department of Health and Human Services, supported HB380. He explained that the bill aims to remove the enhanced penalty for registered patients or caregivers selling cannabis to unauthorized individuals. Holt detailed the current penalties under RSA 318b and the additional class B felony for patients or caregivers. He argued that the legislative intent behind the extra penalty in 2013 was to deter diversion, which was a significant concern when therapeutic cannabis was the primary legal source. However, with legal cannabis now widely available in neighboring states, the risk of diversion has significantly decreased, making the extra penalty unnecessary and outdated. Holt concluded that the crime of selling cannabis should carry the same penalty for everyone, regardless of their status in the therapeutic cannabis program.

Roy, Terry(Chairman)(R)[B]2024	Murray, Alissandra(Clerk)(D)[D-]2024	Rhodes, Jennifer(V Chairman)(R)[B]2024
Harriott-Gathright, Linda(D)[CT]2024	Proulx, Mark(R)[B]2024	Lascelles, Richard(R)[B+]2024
Morency, Pete(R)	Paquette, Kathleen(R)	Murphy, Nancy(D)[CT]2024
Newman, Ray(D)[CT]2024	Meuse, David(D)[CT]2024	Devoid, Ricky(R)
Newell, Jodi(D)[D-]2024	Scherr, Buzz(D)	Valerino, Brian(R)
Sabourin dit Choinière, Matt(R)