Concord, NH: Members of a state-appointed commission tasked with studying the feasibility of regulating adult-use cannabis sales in state-owned stores failed to issue policy recommendations in its final report to lawmakers.
Lawmakers in August enacted legislation establishing the task force after Republican Gov. Chris Sununu voiced support for potentially legalizing adult-use cannabis sales through state-owned stores. (State law mandates that retail sales of wine and spirits take place exclusively in state-owned ABC outlets.) The Governor had previously been an outspoken critic of legalization.
Those on the 19-member commission failed to achieve consensus on a model distribution system for cannabis sales and also failed to agree upon a number of related issues, such as proposed THC potency caps, public use penalties, and whether or not to allow adults to engage in personal home cultivation.
Currently, the possession of limited amounts of marijuana (up to ¾ of one ounce) is a civil violation in New Hampshire. It is the only state in New England that has not legalized marijuana possession and sales.