HB 643-FN-A is a bill designed to legalize and regulate marijuana for individuals aged 21 and over in New Hampshire, drawing parallels to alcohol regulation. It sets possession limits, maintains the illegality of selling to minors, prohibits driving under the influence, and requires state operation of retail cannabis stores. The bill adds a new chapter to regulate cannabis, defines relevant terms, and amends existing laws to exclude authorized substances from the definition of "illegal drugs." It also updates identification requirements for age verification and includes the cannabis control fund in the state's financial provisions. The bill does not explicitly mention any insertions or deletions to current law, suggesting it introduces new regulations without altering existing text.

The bill outlines the application process for cannabis establishments, including cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and transportation, with a $250 municipal review fee and a 90-day window for the liquor commission to issue registrations. Municipalities can regulate or prohibit cannabis establishments, and the bill sets residency requirements for applicants and mandates background checks. It also establishes the cannabis control fund, amends RSA 176:9 to include training for liquor investigators, and specifies penalties for underage possession. The bill includes insertions regarding the application process and the cannabis control fund, but no deletions are mentioned. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds for administration and public media campaigns, repeals certain sections of the law, and indicates a fiscal note of $4,750,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12, 179:8, 318-C:4, 176:9, 176:11, 176:14, 318-B:26, 318-B:2-c, 265-A:43, 318-B:1