New Hampshire Senate Committee Votes to Kill Cannabis Legalization Bill

The Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee swiftly recommended that a House-passed bill to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis sales be rejected.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee, with a Republican majority, quickly voted to recommend that a comprehensive cannabis legalization bill passed by the state House be killed. The bill, which would have legalized, regulated, and taxed cannabis sales, was opposed by Republican Senators who cited concerns over property values and the potential for an influx of out-of-state dispensaries. The bill now faces an uphill battle to pass the full Senate, and Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte is expected to veto it if it reaches her desk.

Why it matters

The fate of this bill is seen as a key test of cannabis reform efforts in the Granite State, where previous attempts have failed. With 70% of New Hampshire residents supporting legalization, including 55% of Republicans, the Senate's swift rejection of the bill highlights the political divides over the issue and the challenges reformers face in getting it passed, even in a state with broad public support.

The details

The comprehensive cannabis legalization bill, HB 186-FN-A, passed the New Hampshire House in January by a vote of 209-135. However, the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee quickly voted to recommend that the bill be killed after a brief public hearing. Republican Senators Daryl Abbas and William Gannon opposed the bill, citing concerns about the impact on property values and the potential for an influx of out-of-state dispensaries. Democratic Senator Debra Altschiller said the committee voted to repeal the bill in 'a hot second.' The bill's sponsor, Democratic Representative Jared Sullivan, argued that the bill provided a 'really good framework' for legalization and regulation in the state, but was unable to sway the Republican majority.

  • On January 7, the cannabis legalization bill passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives by a vote of 209 to 135.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on the bill on February 11, 2026 and quickly voted to recommend that it be killed.

The players

HB 186-FN-A

A comprehensive bill that would have legalized, regulated, and taxed cannabis sales in New Hampshire.

Daryl Abbas

A Republican state senator who opposed the cannabis legalization bill, citing concerns about the impact on property values.

William Gannon

A Republican state senator who opposed the cannabis legalization bill.

Debra Altschiller

A Democratic state senator who said the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to repeal the cannabis legalization bill in 'a hot second'.

Jared Sullivan

A Democratic state representative who sponsored the cannabis legalization bill and argued that it provided a 'really good framework' for how legalization could work in New Hampshire.

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What they’re saying

“I've seen enough.”

— William Gannon, State Senator (newenglandnewspress.com)

“It's an election year. Let's think about what our voters want.”

— Jared Sullivan, State Representative (newenglandnewspress.com)

What’s next

The cannabis legalization bill now faces an uphill battle to pass the full New Hampshire Senate, and Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte is expected to veto the bill if it reaches her desk.

The takeaway

The swift rejection of the cannabis legalization bill by the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee highlights the political divides over the issue in New Hampshire, even as polls show broad public support for legalization across party lines. The fate of this bill will be a key test of the state's willingness to join the growing number of states that have legalized and regulated the cannabis industry.