Committee Summary for Senate Judiciary (03/25/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB51 00:07:02.319 - 12:05:48 PM	Public Hearing	relative to hemp-derived cannabinoids and the definition of cannabis in therapeutic cannabis.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2024
HB53 00:42:07.520 - 12:40:53 PM	Public Hearing	permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2024
HB196 01:39:44.400 - 1:38:30 PM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to annulling certain cannabis possession offenses.	Wheeler, Jonah(D)[D+]2024
HB75 01:57:51.679 - 1:56:37 PM	Public Hearing	legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older.	Verville, Kevin(R)[B+]2024

HB51: Wendy Thomas, town of Merrimack Support00:07:02.319 - 12:05:48 PM; Wendy Thomas, the bill's sponsor, introduced House Bill 51, which aims to allow Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) to purchase non-intoxicating cannabinoids from federally legal hemp producers. This would enable ATCs to produce more affordable products for New Hampshire patients. The bill focuses on CBD and other non-intoxicating cannabinoids, excluding hemp-derived THC products. It would be regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS). Thomas emphasized that the current law requires ATCs to produce all cannabinoids in-house, which is costly and less efficient compared to using federally legal hemp products.
HB51: Pat Sullivan, New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police Oppose00:11:48.079 - 12:10:34 PM; Pat Sullivan expressed concerns about the transportation of hemp products between states and viewed the bill as an expansion of marijuana legalization efforts. He questioned the legality of transporting these products across state lines, despite their federal legality, due to the bill's mention of manufacturing cannabis concentrates and infused products.
HB51: Jerry Kerk, Chair of the Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board Support00:13:18.560 - 12:12:04 PM; Jerry Kerk supported HB51, noting that the Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board voted 7-0 in favor of the bill. He explained that cannabis contains many non-intoxicating cannabinoids beneficial for patients, and that ATCs struggle to produce enough CBD and other non-intoxicating cannabinoids due to high production costs. The bill would allow ATCs to purchase these from commercial hemp producers, reducing costs and increasing availability of CBD-rich products. Kerk addressed transportation concerns, stating that only federally legal industrial hemp would cross state lines, and once processed into products, they would be sold within New Hampshire.
HB51: Sander Information Only00:16:35.160 - 12:15:21 PM; Sander asked Jerry Kerk to clarify the transportation issue related to the bill, specifically how compliance with federal law would be maintained when bringing the product to ATCs. Jerry explained that industrial hemp, defined as containing less than 0.3% THC, is federally legal and can be transported across state lines. However, products with THC, like those bought in Maine, violate federal law when crossing state lines.
HB51: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:18:17.679 - 12:17:03 PM; An unnamed speaker questioned why permission is needed to bring a federally legal product into New Hampshire. Jerry Kerk responded that while the product is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, the state statute must be changed to allow ATCs to use non-grown cannabis in their products.
HB51: Matt Simon, Granite Leaf Cannabis, Chichester and Merrimack Support00:19:30.640 - 12:18:16 PM; Matt Simon from Granite Leaf Cannabis, operating dispensaries in Chichester and Merrimack, expressed support for the bill. He highlighted the difficulty and cost of producing CBD and other non-intoxicating cannabinoids indoors under high-intensity lights. He noted that hemp-derived CBD is already legal and widely available, and this bill would allow ATCs to purchase lab-tested CBD from hemp markets, potentially lowering prices for patients and increasing product availability.
HB51: Alicia Bennett, Granite Leaf Cannabis, Patient Support00:23:36.000 - 12:22:22 PM; Alicia Bennett, a patient and education outreach coordinator for Granite Leaf Cannabis, expressed full support for HB51. As a cancer survivor and amputee, she shared her personal experience with therapeutic cannabis, emphasizing how hemp-derived products with CBD, CBG, and CBN have helped manage her symptoms. She believes the bill would make these cannabinoids more affordable and accessible for patients in New Hampshire.
HB51: Sue Hamala, Smart Approaches Marijuana Oppose00:25:13.440 - 12:23:59 PM; Sue Hamala from Smart Approaches Marijuana opposed the bill, raising legal concerns. She discussed the 2018 Farm Bill and the DEA's 2022 clarification on hemp seeds, emphasizing the 'source rule' which differentiates between industrial hemp and products intended for human consumption. She noted that New Hampshire lacks a USDA-approved state plan for hemp production, which could complicate the legal framework. She recommended aligning state definitions with federal ones and establishing a USDA-approved plan before changing definitions.
HB51: Dr. Joe Hannon Support00:32:54.640 - 12:31:40 PM; Dr. Joe Hannon strongly supported HB51, viewing it as a step towards consumer protection and regulatory modernization. He highlighted the ambiguity surrounding hemp-derived cannabinoids and the need for regulatory structure to ensure safety and clarity for patients. He emphasized that the bill clarifies definitions within the therapeutic cannabis program, ensuring compliance with federal law while improving system confidence and preventing exploitation.
HB51: Senator Abis Information Only00:34:32.239 - 12:33:18 PM; Senator Abis questioned the relevance of synthetic THC in the bill, specifically why ATCs would need to sell any amount of synthetic THC. Dr. Hannon clarified that the bill does not allow synthetic THC and focuses on providing access to non-intoxicating hemp-derived products for medical use, emphasizing the need for these products to be more accessible and safer through testing.
HB51: Senator Abis Information Only00:34:32.239 - 12:33:18 PM; Senator Abis was finishing speaking about the language in lines 20 and 21 of the bill, which he believes is already present in statute 439. He confirmed that the bill is not creating new definitions but rather incorporating existing language about not using products derived from hemp containing natural or synthetic ingredients into another section, specifically section 126.
HB53: Wendy Thomas, representing the town of Merrimack Support00:42:07.520 - 12:40:53 PM; Wendy Thomas, a New Hampshire therapeutic cannabis patient, introduced House Bill 53, which aims to allow qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use. She highlighted the financial burden of cannabis on patients not covered by insurance and the challenges of accessing dispensaries, especially for low-income, immobile, or homebound patients. Thomas explained that the bill would allow patients to grow up to three mature plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings, with strict regulations on security and reporting to the state. She also provided a historical context of similar bills and their progress in the New Hampshire legislature, emphasizing the bipartisan support and the backing from dispensaries and the Therapeutic Cannabis Board.
HB53: Senator Information Only00:49:29.800 - 12:48:15 PM; The Senator asked Wendy Thomas for clarification on the regulations for growing cannabis outside, specifically about the requirement for a locked or fenced-in area. Thomas confirmed that the plants must be in a secured area, either inside the home or in a locked outdoor space, and that this applies only to property owners, not renters.
HB53: Senator Abs Information Only00:50:15.240 - 12:49:01 PM; Senator Abs sought clarification on the location in the bill where it specifies that cannabis grown outside must be in a locked or fenced-in area. Thomas directed him to page two, line 18 of the bill.
HB53: Sue Hamola, representing SAM New Hampshire Oppose00:51:44.319 - 12:50:30 PM; Sue Hamola from SAM New Hampshire opposed House Bill 53, arguing that while the bill is well-meaning, it authorizes every cardholder to grow marijuana without sufficient oversight. She pointed out the lack of resources in the state's therapeutic cannabis program to monitor caregivers and growers, the potential for non-financial barter payments, and the privacy protections that could hinder law enforcement. Hamola also mentioned other related bills in the House, including HB380 and another bill to increase the amount of marijuana cardholders can possess, suggesting a broader effort to expand the medical marijuana program.
HB53: Pat Sullivan, representing the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police Oppose00:57:51.240 - 12:56:37 PM; Pat Sullivan from the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police opposed House Bill 53, citing concerns over the lack of oversight and accountability for caregivers, the potential for caregivers to profit excessively from growing marijuana, and the risks to property owners under federal law if tenants grow cannabis on leased property. He emphasized the need for better regulation and oversight to prevent abuse of the system.
HB53: Alicia Bennett, New Boston, Granite Leaf Cannabis Support00:59:51.880 - 12:58:37 PM; Alicia Bennett, a patient in the therapeutic cannabis program since 2018, supports HB53. She uses cannabis to manage multiple conditions including chronic pain, phantom limb sensation, insomnia, nausea, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Bennett argues that legalizing home cultivation would make cannabis more affordable for patients, reduce transportation burdens, and allow access to specific cultivars that may not be available at dispensaries. She believes home cultivation can be done safely and would be a positive step for patients in New Hampshire.
HB53: Jerry Kerk, Chair of the Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board Support01:02:35.359 - 1:01:21 PM; Jerry Kerk supports HB53, which would allow home cultivation of cannabis by therapeutic cannabis patients and designated caregivers. He highlights that 72% of patients are certified for pain treatment and many face long drives to access cannabis. Kerk explains that home cultivation would address issues of affordability, accessibility, and availability of specific strains. He notes that the bill includes robust protections such as limitations on the number of plants, registration of sites, and requirements for secure and enclosed cultivation locations. Kerk also addresses concerns about the sale and compensation related to home cultivation, clarifying that the bill does not change existing statutes on these matters.
HB53: Michael Bisson, Franklin Support01:14:36.679 - 1:13:22 PM; Michael Bisson supports HB53, drawing from his experiences in California and Michigan. He discusses the challenges of high cannabis prices at dispensaries and the potential for home cultivation to alleviate these costs. Bisson addresses concerns about the smell and security of home cultivation, suggesting that greenhouses with continuous walls could mitigate these issues. He also mentions the use of autoflowering seeds to simplify the growing process and reduce costs. Bisson emphasizes the need for home cultivation to help patients manage chronic pain and other conditions more affordably.
HB53: Matt Simon, Granite Leaf Cannabis Support01:24:09.360 - 1:22:55 PM; Matt Simon supports HB53, noting that home cultivation is legal in every other New England state. He argues that limited home cultivation has not led to significant problems in other states and addresses concerns raised by opposition groups like the Chiefs of Police Association and Project SAM. Simon explains that the bill includes measures to prevent exploitation by caregivers and clarifies that home cultivation remains a felony in New Hampshire without this bill. He emphasizes that Granite Leaf Cannabis supports the bill despite potential financial losses, prioritizing patient rights and freedom.
HB53: Dr. Shannon Support01:37:01.119 - 1:35:47 PM; Dr. Shannon supports HB53, arguing that it is a moral imperative for New Hampshire to allow medical cannabis patients to grow their own medicine. He highlights the financial burden and limited access faced by patients, particularly those with chronic conditions. Dr. Shannon compares the proposed home cultivation to home brewing of beer and wine, suggesting that with proper safety measures, the risks are minimal. He emphasizes the need for New Hampshire to treat its therapeutic cannabis patients with dignity and trust.
HB196: Representative Wheeler Support01:39:44.400 - 1:38:30 PM; Representative Wheeler supports HB196, which aims to amend the current annulment statute in New Hampshire. He explains that the bill would remove the $300 fee currently required for requesting an annulment hearing for cannabis possession convictions. He emphasizes the importance of the legislation in allowing individuals to rehabilitate and move forward in life, as past convictions can hinder opportunities for loans, jobs, and military service. He mentions that the bill passed unanimously in the House Criminal Justice Committee this biennium due to amendments worked on with the judicial council, and he is eager to work with the committee to pass the legislation.
HB196: Bill Bright, New Hampshire State Police Oppose01:43:29.920 - 1:42:15 PM; Major Bill Bright of the New Hampshire State Police opposes HB196 on technical grounds. He argues that the bill's language is vague regarding the requirements for the Department of Safety to examine and annul convictions. He expresses concerns about the potential workload increase due to thousands of cases that might need review, which could exceed the capacity of the criminal records division. Additionally, he mentions the costs associated with publishing reports and the need for additional staff and IT resources to handle the increased workload.
HB196: Lieutenant Darato, Manchester Police Department Oppose01:47:13.679 - 1:45:59 PM; Lieutenant Darato, representing the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, opposes HB196 for two main reasons. First, he believes the bill undermines current law by removing consequences without changing the law itself, potentially leading to habitual violations. Second, he argues that the bill expands the annulment statute beyond the current requirement of proving the conviction was for 3/4 of an ounce or less, which could lead to automatic annulments for plea-bargained cases without individual review. He expresses concern over the lack of a mitigation process for such cases.
HB196: Dr. Hannon Support01:49:50.239 - 1:48:36 PM; Dr. Hannon supports HB196, emphasizing that the bill is about fairness, healing, and aligning the justice system with modern values. He explains that the bill allows individuals convicted of low-level cannabis possession to petition for annulment, addressing the disproportionate enforcement of these laws and their lifelong impact on individuals' opportunities in employment, housing, education, and child custody. He argues that expungement is a necessary step towards justice, especially as public opinion shifts towards legalization.
HB196: Unknown Support01:50:43.800 - 1:49:29 PM; The speaker supports HB196, emphasizing that the bill does not grant automatic expungement but allows a petition process with court discretion, which they view as a reasonable balance between fairness and accountability. They argue that the bill is about giving people a second chance and addressing the damage done under previous cannabis laws, urging the committee to vote ought to pass on HB196.
HB196: Senator Information Only01:52:05.679 - 1:50:51 PM; The Senator expresses concern about the phrasing in line nine of the bill, which suggests that the Department of Safety should automatically enull a qualified record without review. They question who determines the qualification of a record if the Department of Safety's failure to enull is considered a failure, especially since members of the Department of Safety have spoken against the bill.
HB196: Dr. Hannon Information Only01:53:17.360 - 1:52:03 PM; Dr. Hannon clarifies that typically, a court grants an annulment, not the Department of Safety. They explain that the bill's current phrasing suggests a petition would be submitted to the Department of Safety, but it's unclear if the Department can annul a conviction on its own without court involvement.
HB196: Victor Muzzy, Captain, State Police, Justice Information Bureau Information Only01:54:46.560 - 1:53:32 PM; Victor Muzzy, representing the State Police's Justice Information Bureau, clarifies that the bill's language is confusing regarding whether the Department of Safety should receive and act on petitions or wait for court orders. He explains that the criminal records unit can see annulments but these are not visible to law enforcement. He also raises concerns about what exactly should be annulled (arrest, conviction, or both) and notes that some language in the bill may be from an older version.
HB75: Keith A, Representative, Hillsboro 42 (Lineboro, Mount Vernon, New Boston) Support01:57:51.679 - 1:56:37 PM; Keith A, representing Hillsboro 42, introduces HB75 on behalf of Representative Verville from Deerfield. He explains that the bill removes all references to cannabis in New Hampshire RSA except for prohibitions for minors and medical cannabis statutes. The bill aims to end state-level prohibition, shifting the responsibility to the federal government, and redirecting state resources to more pressing needs like narcotics and opioid enforcement and treatment. He argues that the bill will not generate state revenue but will save money or allow for better use of funds, urging support for the bill to end the state-level war on cannabis.
HB75: Senator Information Only02:01:29.280 - 2:00:15 PM; The Senator expresses concern about the potential for cannabis products to be laced with dangerous substances like fentanyl in the absence of state control, highlighting the risks in the black market. They mention past community feedback about children dying from such incidents and question the safety of the product on the street without regulation.
HB75: Sue Hamola, representing SAM New Hampshire Oppose02:02:25.840 - 2:01:11 PM; Sue Hamola opposes HB75, citing negative public health outcomes associated with recreational cannabis legalization. She argues that the costs to mitigate these harms far exceed any revenue generated. She also notes that public support for legalization is waning, referencing recent state votes and Governor Ayotte's stance. Additionally, she addresses concerns about the medical marijuana program, suggesting that existing programs like the designated caregiver program and discounts for compassionate care card holders and veterans address some of the issues raised by expansion bills.
HB75: Pat Sullivan, New Hampshire Chiefs Association Oppose02:05:43.840 - 2:04:29 PM; Pat Sullivan, representing the New Hampshire Chiefs Association, opposes the legalization effort in HB75. He argues that the bill keeps the black market in place, lacks quality control and oversight of contaminants, and does not generate income for the state while leaving it to bear the financial burden of treatment for excess use. He also expresses concern about poly use, particularly its impact on driving and fatal accidents, suggesting that legalization would exacerbate these issues.
HB75: Joe Hannon Support02:07:50.880 - 2:06:36 PM; Joe Hannon expressed strong support for HB75, emphasizing that the bill represents a significant step forward in cannabis policy and civil rights in New Hampshire. He argued that prohibition has failed on multiple fronts, including keeping cannabis away from youth, protecting public health, and providing justice, instead leading to unnecessary arrests, racial disparities, and a thriving black market. Hannon highlighted that legalization would allow for better management of issues like youth access and impaired driving through public education and regulatory frameworks. He also pointed out the civil rights aspect, noting that legalization could end the cycle of disproportionate consequences faced by marginalized communities due to cannabis possession. Hannon challenged the effectiveness of prohibition and urged the committee to vote in favor of HB75, suggesting it as a reasonable first step towards change.
HB75: Unnamed Speaker Information Only02:13:20.800 - 2:12:06 PM; An unnamed speaker engaged in a dialogue with Joe Hannon, questioning the potential impact of legalization on youth use and stigma. Hannon responded by citing studies that showed varied results on youth use post-legalization, with some states experiencing slight increases in certain age groups, but no significant overall increase. He also addressed concerns about polydrug use and the effectiveness of prohibition, suggesting that legalization could lead to better management of these issues. The discussion also touched on the comparison between alcohol and cannabis, with Hannon arguing that the state's approach to alcohol might contribute more to youth substance use than cannabis legalization would.
HB75: Unnamed Speaker Information Only02:14:18.960 - 2:13:04 PM; Another unnamed speaker questioned Joe Hannon about the differences between the current bill and a previous Senate bill, focusing on the impact on marginalized communities and the lack of regulation in HB75. Hannon clarified that while both forms of legalization could address the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, HB75 was a necessary step due to the ongoing negative effects of prohibition. He emphasized the need for change, citing statistics on arrests and the broader implications for civil liberties and personal freedom.
HB75: Unnamed Speaker Information Only02:17:02.318 - 2:15:48 PM; The final unnamed speaker continued the discussion with Joe Hannon, focusing on the potential increase in cannabis use and related issues like road accidents following legalization. Hannon responded by referencing data from other states, indicating that while there might be slight increases in use, there was no clear evidence linking legalization to increased deaths or accidents. He also shared a personal anecdote to illustrate how legalization might affect youth behavior, suggesting that the fear of breaking the law currently deters some from trying cannabis.

Gannon, Bill(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Abbas, Daryl(V Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2024
McConkey, Mark(R)	Reardon, Tara(D)