A key committee in New Hampshire has passed a bill to decriminalize psilocybin for adults 21 and older. This bill has gained attention across the state. The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 16 to 0 in favor of the bill. The vote was unanimous, showing strong support for the change in New Hampshire.
Changes made to the bill
The original bill, House Bill 528, aimed to legalize psilocybin. This would have allowed people to buy, sell, possess, and use it legally. But after review, the committee made some changes. Instead of legalizing psilocybin, the committee decided to decriminalize it. This means the law will no longer treat psilocybin offenses as serious crimes in New Hampshire. The new bill focuses on reducing penalties, not legalizing it.
What the New Hampshire law will mean for offenses
Under the new version of the bill, a first offense involving psilocybin will be treated as a civil infraction. The penalty for this would be a fine of up to $100. This is a minor penalty compared to what it could have been. If someone is caught with psilocybin a second or third time, the punishment becomes more serious. The offense would be classified as a Class B misdemeanor. The fine could go up to $1,000. However, there will be no jail time for any of these offenses. The goal is to avoid making this a criminal issue and keep it as a matter of public safety in New Hampshire.
When the law would take effect
If the bill becomes law, it will go into effect on January 1, 2026. This gives the state time to prepare for the new rules. The law would only apply to adults 21 and older, meaning minors would still face more serious consequences for possessing psilocybin in New Hampshire.
Rep. Verville pushes for more changes
Rep. Kevin Verville, who filed House Bill 528, is also working on another bill. This new bill would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older. He is pushing for a major shift in New Hampshire’s drug laws. If both bills pass, New Hampshire will make significant changes to how it handles drug use and possession.
