Is Marijuana Legal in New Hampshire? Here’s What You Need to Know

New Hampshire continues to take a more conservative approach to marijuana laws compared to neighboring New England states. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the legal status of marijuana in the Granite State as of 2025.

Medical Marijuana: Legal and Regulated

Medical marijuana has been legal in New Hampshire since 2013. Patients diagnosed with qualifying medical conditions—such as cancer, epilepsy, PTSD, or chronic pain—can register to legally purchase and possess up to 2 ounces of medical cannabis in a 10-day period.

However, patients are not allowed to grow marijuana at home. Instead, they must purchase their medication through state-regulated Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs).

Recent changes have expanded the list of qualifying conditions and now allow for out-of-state medical marijuana cardholders to access cannabis in New Hampshire.

Recreational Marijuana: Still Illegal but Decriminalized

Recreational marijuana remains illegal in New Hampshire, but small amounts are decriminalized. Possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce (¾ oz) is treated as a civil violation, not a criminal offense.

• First and second offenses typically result in a fine of $100.
• Third offense may carry a higher fine and is still treated as a civil offense.
• Fourth offense or more may lead to misdemeanor charges.
• Possession of more than ¾ oz or distribution-related activities is considered a criminal offense, and penalties can include jail time.

Legalization Efforts: Ongoing but Unsuccessful

Despite broad public support—surveys show that over 70% of New Hampshire residents favor legalization—efforts to legalize recreational cannabis have repeatedly failed.

Several bills have passed in the state House of Representatives but stalled in the Senate or faced vetoes from the governor. The most recent bill aimed to allow adults aged 21 and over to possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis, but it was rejected by the Senate.

New Hampshire remains the only New England state without legal recreational marijuana.

Final Thoughts

New Hampshire is making slow progress when it comes to marijuana reform. While medical marijuana is accessible and low-level recreational possession is decriminalized, recreational legalization remains off the table for now.

Lawmakers continue to debate, but without strong support from the state Senate or the governor, full legalization remains a goal for the future.

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