Quick answer: Recreational marijuana is not legal in New Hampshire, but medical cannabis is legal for registered patients through the Therapeutic Cannabis Program. Patients can possess up to 2 ounces and buy up to 2 ounces in any 10-day period. For everyone else, having up to 3/4 ounce is a civil violation with a $100 fine. Home growing is not allowed.

Last verified: October 20, 2026, against the NH DHHS Therapeutic Cannabis Program. Laws change, so check the official site before you travel or buy.

Who can get medical cannabis?

New Hampshire is the “Live Free or Die” state, and it’s surrounded by states where adult-use is legal. Even so, it still hasn’t legalized recreational marijuana. The House has passed legalization bills several times, but they keep dying in the Senate. Governor Kelly Ayotte has said she’d veto any legalization bill. So for now, the only legal route is medical.

To join the Therapeutic Cannabis Program, you need a qualifying condition and a certification from a provider you have an established relationship with. Qualifying conditions include cancer, chronic pain, PTSD, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, along with a list of others. Registered patients of any age can join, but minors need a parent or guardian as their caregiver.

How to get a medical card

1. Get certified by a qualifying New Hampshire provider, such as a physician, APRN or PA.
2. Apply to the Therapeutic Cannabis Program at the NH Department of Health and Human Services, and choose a dispensary.
3. Get your registry ID card, then shop at one of the state’s alternative treatment centers (ATCs).

Check DHHS for current fees and processing times.

Where can patients buy?

Only at the state’s licensed alternative treatment centers. There are seven locations: Chichester, Conway, Dover, Keene, Lebanon, Merrimack and Plymouth. Some patients drive more than an hour to get there. A 2026 law (SB 468), which took effect after lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto in August 2026, will let these centers seek approval to grow in greenhouses once the health department writes rules.

How much can patients buy or possess?

• Patients can possess up to 2 ounces of usable cannabis.
• Patients can buy up to 2 ounces in any 10-day period.

Can you grow your own?

No. Home growing isn’t allowed for patients or anyone else. Lawmakers have tried to change that, but a 2025 House bill to allow patient home grow was tabled in the Senate. If you grow at home, the state charges you based on how much the plants weigh.

Where can patients use it?

In private. Using cannabis in public, in a vehicle, at school or at work isn’t protected. Landlords can also ban smoking on their property.

Can you drive after using?

No. Driving while impaired by any drug, including medical cannabis, is a DUI in New Hampshire. The state has no numeric THC limit, so officers judge impairment from your driving and field tests. Drivers under 21 caught with marijuana can also lose their license.

Can you take it out of state?

No. Crossing state lines with cannabis is a federal crime, even though Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont all sell adult-use cannabis right next door. You can legally buy and use it in those states if you’re 21+. Just don’t bring it back over the border into New Hampshire.

Visiting patients get a better option. Since June 2023, out-of-state medical patients (and Canadian patients) can buy at New Hampshire dispensaries with their home-state card and a matching photo ID. Visitors can buy up to three times a year. Visiting patients whose condition is on New Hampshire’s list get the same access as residents.

Federal context, as of October 2026: recreational marijuana is still a Schedule I drug federally. In April 2026, state-licensed medical marijuana and FDA-approved products moved to Schedule III, and broader rescheduling was paused on September 29, 2026. A November 2025 federal hemp law takes away legal status from intoxicating hemp-THC products such as delta-8 and THCA flower, with its main provisions taking effect December 11, 2026.

Can your employer fire you?

Yes. The Therapeutic Cannabis Program doesn’t require employers to allow cannabis use, and employers can discipline anyone who is impaired at work. Off-duty use isn’t protected either. If your job includes drug testing, talk with HR before you enroll.

What are the penalties?

• Up to 3/4 ounce (or up to 5 grams of hash), first or second offense, age 18+: civil violation with a $100 fine.
• Third offense within 3 years: $300 fine. A fourth offense within 3 years becomes a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,200.
• More than 3/4 ounce: misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail.
• Selling any amount: this is a felony, and sentences are higher near schools.

Compare New Hampshire with its legal neighbors on our marijuana law hub.

New Hampshire marijuana law FAQ

Is weed legal in New Hampshire in 2026?

No, not for recreational use. New Hampshire allows medical cannabis for registered patients. For anyone 18 or older, possessing up to 3/4 ounce is a civil violation with a $100 fine for a first or second offense.

Can I use my out-of-state medical card in New Hampshire?

Yes, in a limited way. Since 2023, visiting patients can buy at New Hampshire’s alternative treatment centers with a valid card from their home state (or Canada) and a matching photo ID. They’re generally limited to three visits a year, unless their condition is on New Hampshire’s list.

How much cannabis can New Hampshire patients have?

Registered patients in New Hampshire’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program can possess up to 2 ounces of usable cannabis and buy up to 2 ounces in any 10-day period.

Can I bring weed from Massachusetts or Maine into New Hampshire?

No. Even if you bought it legally in Massachusetts, Maine or Vermont, bringing cannabis into New Hampshire is illegal under state and federal law.

Can you grow marijuana in New Hampshire?

No. Home cultivation is illegal in New Hampshire, including for registered medical patients. Patients must buy from one of the state’s licensed alternative treatment centers.