Possession

On June 21st, Governor Maggie Hassan signed legislation, Senate Bill 498, into law to reduce the penalty for first-time possession of marijuana offenses from a Class A offense to an unspecified misdemeanor. Possession of any amount is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of 1 year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $350.

See

• Senate Bill 498 Web Search
• 318 B:2 of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search
• 318 B:1 et seq. of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search
• 318-B:26 of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search
• 651:2 of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search

Sale

Includes possession with intent to sell.

The sale of less than 1 ounce for a first offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 3 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $25,000. A Subsequent offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 6 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $50,000.

The sale of 1 ounce - less than 5 pounds for a first offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $100,000. A Subsequent offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $200,000.

The sale of 5 pounds or more for a first offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $300,000. A Subsequent offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500,000.

Sale within 1,000 feet of a school zone is a felony punishable by a doubling of the sentence and the fine.

See

• 318 B:2 of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search
• 318 B:1 et seq. of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search
• 318-B:26 of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search

Cultivation

Cultivation in New Hampshire will be punished based upon the aggregate weight of the plants found. See the "Possession" and "Sale" sections for further penalty details.

Hash & Concentrates

Possessing 5 grams or less of hashish or concentrates is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine no greater than $2,000 and a term of imprisonment no greater than 1 year. Possessing 5 grams or more of hashish is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine no greater than $5,000 and a term of imprisonment no greater than 1 year.

See

• 318-B:26(II) of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search
• 651:2 of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search

The sale of less than 5 grams for a first offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 3 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $25,000. A Subsequent offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 6 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $50,000.

The sale of 5 grams - less than 1 pound for a first offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $100,000. A Subsequent offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $200,000.

The sale of 1 pound or more for a first offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $300,000. A Subsequent offense is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500,000.

If any of the offenses occurred with 1,000 feet of a school the fines and terms of imprisonment double.

See

• 318-B:26 of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search

Any device or equipment used to manufacture hashish or concentrates is considered drug paraphernalia. Manufacturing, or delivering any such device or equipment is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine no greater than $2,000 and/or a term of imprisonment no greater than 1 year.

See

• 318-B1(X-a) of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search
• 318-B:26(III) of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search

Paraphernalia

The sale or possession of paraphernalia is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of 1 year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $2,000.

See

• 318 B:1 et seq. of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search
• 318 B:2 318 B:1 et seq. of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search
• 318-B:26 of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search

Miscellaneous

Persons under 21 years of age will face a driver's license suspension for 90 days- 1 year.

See

• 318 B:2 of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search

Any person under 18 years of age who is convicted sale or possession with intent to sell controlled drugs shall be subject to revocation or denial of a driver's license or privilege to drive for a mandatory period of at least one year and a maximum period of up to 5 years. In the case of denial of an application for a license under this section, the period imposed shall begin on the date the person is eligible by age for the issuance of a license.

See

• 263:56-b of the New Hampshire Criminal Code Web Search

 

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

 

This state has medical marijuana laws enacted. Modern research suggests that cannabis is a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide range of clinical applications. These include pain relief, nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. Marijuana is also a powerful appetite stimulant and emerging research suggests that marijuana's medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors, and are neuroprotective. For more information see NORML's Medical Marijuana section.

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Alabama Marijuana Arrests 

 

New Hampshire	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	ARC
Possession	3,360	3,398	3,237	3,396	2,934	-3.3%
Sales	554	580	473	455	619	2.8%
Total	3,914	3,978	3,710	3,851	3,553	-2.4%

ARC: Annual Rate of Change

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reporting Program