SB 461 New Hampshire Senate · 2026 Regular Session

relative to the definition of hemp.

SB 461 updates New Hampshire's legal definition of "hemp" to require that the total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration - including tetrahydrocannabolic acid (THCA) - must not exceed 0.3% on a dry weight basis. This change directly affects hemp farmers, product manufacturers, and state regulators by establishing a clear standard for legal hemp under state law. The bill modifies existing law to align with the federal definition of hemp, which includes THCA in THC calculations, ensuring consistency for businesses selling hemp-derived products. The law will take effect 60 days after enactment.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Governor
Introduced Nov 21, 2025 Last action May 21, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Amended by the Senate As Amended by the House · 2 edits
MINOR
The House amended the Senate version of SB 461 by changing the hemp definition from 'delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration' to 'total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration.' This makes the first sentence of the definition consistent with the existing second sentence, which already defined total THC as including all forms of THC such as THCA. The change narrows the scope of what qualifies as hemp by ensuring the 0.3 percent threshold applies to all THC forms, not just delta-9 THC.
DEFINITION

Changed the hemp definition from 'delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent' to 'total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent.' This broadens which THC forms count toward the 0.3 percent limit, making it harder for a product to qualify as hemp since all THC isomers and acids now count, not just delta-9 THC.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a typo in the section heading: 'Defintions' changed to 'Definitions.'

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
5
Committee
5
Amendments
2
May 21, 2026
Introduced
Sen. Gannon Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
upper
May 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1344h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 11
lower
May 14, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2026-1344h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 11
lower
May 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1344h 04/14/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 19 P. 11
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 5 P. 124
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2026-0369s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0369s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0369s, 02/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 4
upper
Nov 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors