N.H.: House shuts down legalization bills; advocates shift to supporting home cultivation for patients

A public hearing on the medical cannabis home grow bill will take place on Monday, February 1 at 3 p.m.

Despite overwhelming testimony from New Hampshire residents in favor of cannabis legalization at Wednesday’s hearing, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 14-7 to “retain” both legalization bills. As a result, the House will avoid voting on cannabis legalization until 2022, and adults who consume cannabis will continue being fined and arrested for at least another year.

This is infuriating, but advocates will have a second chance to advance cannabis policy on Monday afternoon, February 1, beginning at 3 p.m., when another House committee will consider a medical cannabis home cultivation bill, HB 350.

The hearing will be conducted via Zoom, which means it will be easier than ever for advocates to support making home cultivation legal for patients and caregivers.

Here’s how you can help:

(1) Click here to access the House’s remote sign-in sheet.

(2) Select the date (2/1) and the committee: House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs.

(3) Select HB 350, identify yourself as a “member of the public,” and indicate that you support the bill.

(4) If you wish to speak at the hearing, check the box. If you do not wish to speak, click “continue” and enter your name and contact information on the next page. The Zoom link for this hearing is here.

(5) If you’d like to submit written testimony or simply tell the committee members why you support the bill, you can email them here.

Home cultivation is currently considered a felony in New Hampshire, and there is no exception for registered patients and caregivers. HB 350 would legalize possession and limited cultivation of cannabis for registered patients and caregivers (up to three mature plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings per patient). The full text of the bill is available here.

After you sign up to testify or indicate your support, please share this important message with your friends and family!