The New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 9 to 7 today to advance House Bill 198, legislation that would legalize the possession of marijuana for those 21 and older.
The bill, introduced in January by State Representatives Jared Sullivan, Jonah Wheeler, and Heath Howard, now moves to the full House for consideration.
If enacted, House Bill 198 would allow adults to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, 10 grams of concentrated marijuana, and marijuana products containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC. However, the legislation does not establish a regulated market for marijuana sales, nor does it allow home cultivation. Public consumption would also remain prohibited.
The bill’s passage in committee comes as New Hampshire lawmakers continue to debate various approaches to marijuana reform. Last month the full house approved HB 75, filed by State Rep. Kevin Verville (R), which would remove criminal penalties for possessing and using marijuana and marijuana-infused products
With today’s committee vote, the bill will now be scheduled for debate and a vote in the full House. If approved, it would move to the Senate for further consideration.
