The legality of marijuana in New Hampshire is a hotly debated topic. There are plenty of regulations, laws, and fines to deal with if you happen to be caught with any amount of the plant. However, medical marijuana is now allowed in New Hampshire, so you may want to start exploring all the possibilities.
Medical Marijuana
New Hampshire medical marijuana laws are not a mystery. There is a small but important set of requirements for qualifying patients to be able to get a registry ID card and use their weed.
To qualify, a patient must be diagnosed with a disease that is listed on the state’s list of qualifying illnesses. He or she must also receive permission from the owner of the property where the plant is to be grown.
If the patient is not a resident of the state, he or she must obtain a letter of certification from a licensed physician. This letter serves as part of the health evaluation that must be included with the patient’s application to the Therapeutic Cannabis Program.
The applicant must also provide proof of residency. In addition to the standard documentation, a $50 application fee must be provided. After the application has been approved, the applicant will receive a Registry Identification Card. Using this card allows the patient to purchase and consume therapeutic cannabis from one of the state’s approved Alternative Treatment Centers.
The law allows the card to be renewed annually for a small fee. A renewal application must be submitted one month before the expiration date.
The Therapeutic Cannabis Program maintains a registry of all qualified patients and caregivers. It issues ID cards to eligible patients and certifying physicians. The information on the registry is kept confidential.
Testing Regulations
The New Hampshire legislature has been trying to legalize recreational weed for adults. There are several proposals. Some have been rejected by the House and the Senate, but the law is still being debated and voted on.
Under current law, the only way to legally possess weed in the state is to grow it yourself. Adults can grow up to six plants.
There are no strict regulations regarding the testing of cannabis. In fact, some states have set their own testing standards, and it is up to the consumer to demand proof of quality.
In Massachusetts, the law sets the minimum amounts of contaminants a cannabis product can contain. It also sets a presumption that a person can use marijuana for medicinal purposes when they possess two ounces or less.
A lab tests the products for undesirable contaminants. This includes heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents, mycotoxins, and microbiological contaminants. If the results show a contaminant, the department may require additional testing. They may also order the destruction of contaminated products.
The Utah medical cannabis program was approved by voters in 2018. They will issue patient registration cards in March 2020. For patients, the card will have to show lab test results. These cards will need to be renewed every year with a $50 fee.
Fines For Possession
Possession of marijuana in New Hampshire is illegal. This means that if you are arrested, you will have to pay a fine.
The penalties for possession of weed in New Hampshire can vary depending on the type of drug you are charged with and the amount. If you are convicted of the offense, you can face a large fine and even prison time.
You can get a conviction dismissed if you can prove that you were not knowingly in possession of the drug. It is also possible to challenge a seizure in court.
The penalties for marijuana possession can range from 7 years to a $100,000 fine. These penalties can be increased if you are convicted of a second or subsequent offense.
If you are convicted of marijuana possession with intent to sell, you can receive a sentence of up to three to twenty years in prison. However, you may be able to have the charges reduced to a misdemeanor if you can prove that you were only in possession of small amounts of marijuana.
As a result, the penalties for possession of marijuana in New Hampshire are quite high. Those convicted of this crime can have their driver’s license suspended and their school expulsions revoked.
In addition to the criminal penalty, a possession conviction can cause federal student aid to be denied. A first-time offender might qualify for dismissal, which could save you from having a criminal record.
