This bill, HB 75-FN, legalizes the possession and use of cannabis for individuals aged 21 and older, amending existing laws to reflect this change. It removes cannabis from the list of controlled substances by deleting references in various sections of the law, such as RSA 146:6, IV, and RSA 318-B:1, XVII. New provisions are inserted to establish penalties for underage possession and use, including referrals for substance misuse assessments for individuals under 18 and violations for those under 21. The bill also modifies penalties related to controlled substances, introducing new categories for violations concerning marijuana and outlining specific penalties for public use.

Additionally, the bill mandates the annulment of existing cannabis-related criminal convictions and sentences, allowing individuals currently imprisoned for such offenses to have their convictions dismissed. It prohibits state, county, or local law enforcement from enforcing federal laws that restrict cannabis use and repeals various statutes related to cannabis, including those that restrict the use of electronic benefits cards at dispensaries. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2026, and the fiscal impact of the bill is currently indeterminable, as it may affect costs related to the judicial and correctional systems.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 146:6, 169-B:2, 265-A:43, 318-B:1, 318-B:26, 318-B:27, 318-C:4, 570-A:1, 570-A:7