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 to cannabis and marihuana in various sections of the law, such as RSA 146:6, IV, and RSA 318-B:1, XVII. The bill also introduces new provisions that establish penalties for underage possession and use of marijuana, including referrals for substance misuse assessments for individuals under 18 and violations for those under 21. Additionally, it modifies penalties related to controlled substances, creating new categories for violations concerning marijuana and outlining specific penalties for public use.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the annulment of existing cannabis-related criminal convictions and sentences, allowing individuals currently imprisoned for such offenses to have their convictions annulled and charges dismissed. It prohibits state, county, or local law enforcement agencies from enforcing any federal laws that restrict the manufacture, possession, or use of cannabis. The bill also includes several deletions from current law, particularly concerning marijuana-related statutes, and is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may influence costs related to the judicial and correctional systems for state and local governments.

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