providing that an individual's use of therapeutic cannabis shall not disqualify the individual from the purchase, ownership, or possession of a firearm.

HB 1446 ensures that individuals registered in New Hampshire's therapeutic cannabis program cannot be denied the right to buy, own, or possess firearms solely due to their lawful cannabis use. The bill amends state law to explicitly state that qualifying patients' participation in the medical cannabis program does not disqualify them from exercising Second Amendment rights under New Hampshire law. Key provisions prevent state agencies from cooperating with federal enforcement actions targeting patients for firearm possession while legally using cannabis, and require the attorney general to defend such patients in federal court. This directly affects registered medical cannabis users in New Hampshire by removing a specific barrier to firearm rights created by federal law. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.