A bipartisan coalition of 10 New Hampshire lawmakers has introduced a constitutional amendment that would give those 21 and older the explicit right to possess marijuana for personal use.
The proposal, filed yesterday as CACR 19, would enshrine simple possession protections directly into the state Constitution.
The amendment is sponsored by Representatives Jonah Wheeler (D), Dan McGuire (R), Barbara Comtois (R), Andrew Prout (R), Heath Howard (D), Tom Mannion (R), Michael Granger (R), Jodi Newell (D), Jared Sullivan (D) and Buzz Scherr (D). The bipartisan mix reflects growing momentum in the State House after years of stalled legalization efforts.
Under the measure, adults 21 and older “shall have the right to possess a modest amount of cannabis intended for their personal consumption.” The resolution does not define a possession threshold but would require lawmakers to submit the question to voters on the November 2026 general election ballot. Constitutional amendments in New Hampshire must receive support from at least 60% of voters to take effect.
Supporters argue the change is necessary because the New Hampshire Constitution currently contains no protections for adults who possess small quantities of marijuana, even as surrounding states have legalized and regulated the substance. By locking simple possession rights into the Constitution, lawmakers say future legislatures could not roll back basic personal-use protections.
The introduction of CACR 19 marks one of the most significant marijuana-related proposals of the 2026 session.
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