HB 640-FN (2017): relative to the penalties for possession of marijuana.

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@misc{bill-2017-hb640, title = {HB 640-FN (2017): relative to the penalties for possession of marijuana.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2017/hb640}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

HB 640-FN (2017)

relative to the penalties for possession of marijuana.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2017-2018
  • House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Senate committee: Judiciary
  • Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections
  • Chapter law: 248

The Story

It was introduced on January 5, 2017 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 1, 2017. The committee met in executive session on February 7, 2017 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 14–2 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 8, 2017 the House voted to pass it on a roll call 318–36. It crossed to the Senate on March 9, 2017 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 11, 2017. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2017-1619s). On May 11, 2017 the Senate adopted “Special Order HB 640 to the beginning of the Judiciary Committee, Without Objection”. The committee's amendment (2017-1619s) was adopted on a roll call 18–5 on May 11, 2017, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2017-1692s), offered by Sen. Bill Gannon, was rejected on a roll call 7–16 on May 11, 2017. A floor amendment (2017-1693s), offered by Sen. Bill Gannon, was rejected on a roll call 4–19 on May 11, 2017. On May 11, 2017 the Senate voted to pass it with changes and ordered it to a third reading. On June 1, 2017 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 1619s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Welch. The bill was enrolled on June 22, 2017 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2017-2217e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 18, 2017, making it Chapter 248 of the session laws.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • February 1, 2017, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Representatives Hall
  • February 7, 2017: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 204
  • April 11, 2017, 9:20 AM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100

Votes

  • March 8, 2017, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 318, nays 36, passed
  • May 11, 2017, Senate: Committee Amendment 1619s — yeas 18, nays 5, passed
  • May 11, 2017, Senate: Sen. Gannon Floor Amendment 1692s — yeas 7, nays 16, failed
  • May 11, 2017, Senate: Sen. Gannon Floor Amendment 1693s — yeas 4, nays 19, failed
  • May 11, 2017, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 17, nays 6, passed
  • June 1, 2017, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 1619s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 5, 2017: Introduced 01/05/2017 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • February 1, 2017: Public Hearing: 02/01/2017 01:00 PM Representatives Hall
  • February 7, 2017: Executive Session: 02/07/2017 LOB 204
  • March 8, 2017: Committee Report: Ought to Pass for 03/08/2017 (Vote 14-2; RC)
  • March 8, 2017: Ought to Pass : MA RC 318-36 03/08/2017
  • March 9, 2017: Introduced 03/09/2017 and Referred to Judiciary
  • April 11, 2017: Hearing: 04/11/2017, Room 100, SH, 09:20 am
  • May 11, 2017: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2017-1619s , 05/11/2017
  • May 11, 2017: Special Order HB 640 to the beginning of the Judiciary Committee, Without Objection, MA; 05/11/2017
  • May 11, 2017: Committee Amendment #2017-1619s , RC 18Y-5N, AA; 05/11/2017
  • May 11, 2017: Sen. Gannon Floor Amendment #2017-1692s , RC 7Y-16N, AF; 05/11/2017
  • May 11, 2017: Sen. Gannon Floor Amendment #2017-1693s , RC 4Y-19N, AF; 05/11/2017
  • May 11, 2017: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2017-1619s, RC 17Y-6N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/11/2017
  • June 1, 2017: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 1619s (Rep. Welch): MA VV 06/01/2017
  • June 22, 2017: Enrolled Bill Amendment #2017-2217e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/22/2017)
  • June 22, 2017: Enrolled Bill Amendment #2017-2217e : AA VV 06/22/2017
  • June 22, 2017: Enrolled (In recess 06/22/2017)
  • June 22, 2017: Enrolled 06/22/2017
  • July 18, 2017: Signed by Governor Sununu 07/18/2017; Chapter 248; Eff. 9/16/2017

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court