CONCORD, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) New Hampshire lawmakers are once again pressing the case for loosening the state’s cannabis laws, advancing legislation that would make it legal for adults to possess and use limited amounts of marijuana while stopping short of creating a retail marketplace.

House Bill 1235, introduced at the start of the 2026 legislative session, would allow people 21 and older to legally possess small quantities of cannabis and related products. Supporters say the proposal is aimed at shifting police attention away from low-level drug enforcement and toward more serious crimes, while aligning state law with public opinion and regional norms.

The measure cleared initial review in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and is expected to head to the House floor later this session. If enacted, adults could legally hold up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower or trim, 10 grams of cannabis concentrate, or cannabis-infused products containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC. Sharing small amounts between adults would also be permitted, as long as no money or other compensation is involved.

“This is about personal freedom and practical law enforcement,” said Rep. Jared Sullivan, a Bethlehem Democrat and one of the bill’s prime sponsors. “New Hampshire residents have made it clear they want possession to be legal, and this bill reflects that reality.”

The proposal would maintain restrictions on public consumption and underage possession. Individuals under 21 caught with small amounts would face civil violations and fines rather than criminal charges, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses. Fines collected under the law would be directed to the state’s addiction treatment and prevention fund. Employers, landlords, and property owners would retain the authority to prohibit cannabis use on their premises, and driving under the influence would remain illegal.

Unlike some previous legalization efforts, HB 1235 does not establish a system for commercial cultivation or retail sales. Backers describe it as a narrower approach designed to separate the issue of personal possession from the more contentious debate over regulated markets and taxation.

The bill arrives amid a broader push in the House to revisit marijuana policy. On the opening day of the 2026 session, representatives overwhelmingly approved another legalization measure that would permit adult possession and set up a state-licensed retail system, sending that bill to the House Finance Committee. Lawmakers have also introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize possession of small amounts outright.

Despite repeated House votes in favor of legalization, the outlook remains uncertain. The Senate has historically rejected similar measures, and Gov. Kelly Ayotte has stated she does not support legalizing recreational marijuana, and some legislators who voted to advance the bill acknowledge the uphill battle ahead.

Polling suggests public sentiment may be on the House’s side. An April University of New Hampshire survey found roughly 70 percent of residents support legalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Nearly half of U.S. states — including every other New England state — have already taken that step.

New Hampshire decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana in 2017 and approved medical cannabis in 2013. Whether lawmakers will now take the final step toward legalization remains a question likely to dominate the State House debate throughout the year.