HB 53 (2025): permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.

HB 53 (2025)

permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.

• Status: Died on the table
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Public and Mental Health

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 22, 2025, with 32 people signed in online: 26 in support and 6 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 22, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 13–4 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0272h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0272h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 20, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On February 20, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 328–42. It crossed to the Senate on March 6, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2025. The committee voted 3–1 to recommend that the Senate kill it. On April 17, 2025 the Senate rejected a motion to kill it. On April 17, 2025 the Senate voted to lay it on the table, on a motion by Sen. Daryl Abbas. The bill died on the table under Senate Rule 3-23 on October 31, 2025, having been set aside and never taken back up.

Sponsors

• Rep. Wendy Thomas (D - Hills 12) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Heath Howard (D - Straf 4)
• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 22, 2025, 10:15 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 201
• January 22, 2025, 10:15 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 201
• February 20, 2025: floor debate, House
• March 25, 2025, 1:15 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• April 1, 2025: hearing, Senate Judiciary
• April 17, 2025: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• February 20, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 328, nays 42, passed
• April 17, 2025, Senate: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 12, nays 12, failed
• April 17, 2025, Senate: Lay on Table — yeas 16, nays 8, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 126-X:1
• RSA 126-X:2
• RSA 126-X:3
• RSA 126-X:4
• RSA 126-X:5
• RSA 126-X:8
• RSA 126-X:6

Related Bills

• HB 431 (2023): permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.
• SB 118-FN (2025): relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes; making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility staff; establishing the Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility capital investment fund; and permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.
• SB 419-FN (2024): relative to the annual data report on the therapeutic use of cannabis program and relative to permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.
• HB 1231 (2024): permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.
• HB 431 (2023): permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.
• SB 419-FN (2024): relative to the annual data report on the therapeutic use of cannabis program and relative to permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 12, page 18
• SC 14
• SC 17