Home cultivation of cannabis — recreational or medical — is prohibited statewide in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is the only state in New England that has not legalized adult-use cannabis: HB 1633 (2024), the most recent legalization vehicle, was killed by the House on June 13, 2024 after a failed Senate compromise. Possession of three-quarters of an ounce or less by an adult is a civil violation under RSA 318-B:2-c (a $100 fine for a first or second offense, $300 for a third within three years, and a class B misdemeanor for a fourth within three years), but cultivation of any amount remains a criminal offense under RSA 318-B:2. The therapeutic cannabis program under RSA 126-X allows qualifying patients to purchase product from an Alternative Treatment Center (ATC), but does NOT authorize patient home grow — cultivation is the exclusive function of state-licensed ATCs.
Cannabis is a Schedule I controlled drug under the New Hampshire Controlled Drug Act, RSA 318-B. RSA 318-B:2 (Acts Prohibited) makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture, possess, have under control, sell, purchase, prescribe, administer, transport, or possess with intent to sell, dispense, or compound any controlled drug; 'manufacture' under RSA 318-B:1 expressly includes cultivation and production. Possession of three-quarters of an ounce or less of cannabis by a person 18 or older is decriminalized to a civil violation under RSA 318-B:2-c (Personal Possession of Marijuana): $100 fine for a first or second offense, $300 for a third offense within three years, and a class B misdemeanor for a fourth offense within three years. Possession of more than three-quarters of an ounce remains a class A misdemeanor under RSA 318-B:26, punishable by up to one year and a maximum fine of $350 (or $1,200 for repeat offenders). Cultivation of cannabis, regardless of amount, is treated as manufacture and is a felony under RSA 318-B:26. The therapeutic cannabis program under RSA 126-X (Use of Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes, enacted 2013) protects qualifying patients with a Department of Health and Human Services registry card from prosecution for possessing limited amounts purchased at a state-licensed Alternative Treatment Center, but RSA 126-X:2 does NOT authorize patient home cultivation. Cultivation in New Hampshire is the exclusive function of ATCs operating under RSA 126-X:7. Bills to authorize patient home grow (e.g., HB 1476 in 2018) have repeatedly failed in the legislature. HB 1633 (2024), which would have established a state-controlled adult-use market, was rejected by the House on June 13, 2024 by a 178-173 vote. Nashua follows state law — the city has no separate home-cultivation ordinance, and no city ordinance could authorize cultivation in conflict with RSA 318-B.
Growing any cannabis plant in Nashua is treated as manufacture of a controlled drug under RSA 318-B:2 and is a felony under RSA 318-B:26 — up to 7 years for less than one ounce of finished product or 3 ounces of plant material, longer for larger amounts and for repeat offenders. Plants are subject to seizure. Possession of more than three-quarters of an ounce of cannabis remains a class A misdemeanor under RSA 318-B:26, punishable by up to one year and a $350 fine ($1,200 for repeat offenders). Possession of three-quarters of an ounce or less is a civil violation under RSA 318-B:2-c with a $100 fine (third offense $300, fourth offense within three years becomes a class B misdemeanor). Therapeutic cannabis patients who cultivate at home lose the RSA 126-X protections and are charged under RSA 318-B:26 like any other person. There is no city-level decriminalization in Nashua beyond what RSA 318-B:2-c provides statewide.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Nashua, NH
The Nashua Revised Ordinances do not contain a code provision specifically prohibiting or permitting artificial turf in residential or commercial landscapes....
Nashua, NH
Nashua does not mandate native plants in private landscapes. Chapter 190 Article XXVII Landscaping requires that all shade trees in required landscape materi...
Nashua, NH
Nashua collects trash weekly and recycling every other week on the same day. Check the city's Trash & Recycling Schedule for your day. When a holiday falls o...
Nashua, NH
Nashua food trucks operate under Chapter 231 (Peddling, Soliciting and Vending). No person may act as a vendor in the City unless licensed by the City Clerk....
Nashua, NH
Operating a food truck in Nashua requires three city authorizations: (1) a Mobile Food Service License from the Nashua Environmental Health Department; (2) a...
Nashua, NH
Federal law (FAA Part 107 and 49 U.S.C. § 44809) governs U.S. airspace and preempts local altitude/flight-path regulation. Nashua sits inside Class D control...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Hillsborough County.
See how other cities in Hillsborough County handle home cultivation.
See how Nashua's home cultivation rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.