House Bill 639-FN-A is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis for individuals aged 21 and over in New Hampshire. The bill outlines a regulatory framework similar to that of alcohol, moving cannabis sales from the black market to regulated businesses, ensuring consumer protection and environmental safety. It includes the establishment of a cannabis fund and a substance abuse prevention and recovery fund, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill amends various sections of the law to accommodate the legalization of cannabis, including the application of receipts, the definition of a valid passport for age verification, and the establishment of a drug forfeiture fund. It also revises the definition of "illegal drug" to exclude drugs authorized by law and introduces a new chapter for cannabis regulation, defining terms such as "cannabis" and "cannabis cultivation facility."

The bill sets possession limits, outlines permissible activities for adults, and prohibits public consumption and operation of vehicles under the influence of cannabis. It also stipulates that the odor of cannabis cannot be used as a basis for searches, although impairment tests are still permissible. The bill grants the commission authority to enforce cannabis-related statutes, interpret rules, and manage funds. It details the rulemaking process for licensing cannabis establishments, including application procedures, fee schedules, and qualifications for licensure. The bill prohibits cannabis products that mimic trademarked items, restricts advertising targeting minors, and establishes THC content disclosure and potency limits. It also includes consumer protection measures, such as prohibiting toxic additives and requiring safety testing. The bill addresses consumer privacy, mandates informational handouts, and requires an inventory tracking system. It also outlines regulations for alternative treatment centers to apply for dual-use certificates and prohibits the manufacturing and sale of cannabis alcoholic beverages.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12, 179:8, 318-B:17-c, 318-C:4, 318-B:26, 318-B:2-c, 265-A:43, 77-A:4, 78-A:1, 78-A:3, 78-A:4, 78-A:7, 78-A:26, 76:3, 126-X:1, 126-X:8, 292:7, 293-A:9, 304-C:149, 318-B:1
As Amended by the House: 6:12, 179:8, 318-B:17-c, 318-C:4, 318-B:26, 318-B:2-c, 265-A:43, 76:3, 126-X:1, 126-X:8, 292:7, 293-A:9, 304-C:149, 176:9, 176:7, 179:59, 176:11, 178:19-a, 176:1, 176:14, 318-B:1
As Amended by the House (2nd): 6:12, 179:8, 318-B:17-c, 318-C:4, 318-B:26, 318-B:2-c, 265-A:43, 76:3, 126-X:1, 126-X:8, 292:7, 293-A:9, 304-C:149, 176:9, 176:7, 179:59, 176:11, 178:19-a, 176:1, 176:14, 318-B:1