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After months of tense debate and political gridlock, New Hampshire lawmakers have reached a deal to impose mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses, including fentanyl possession and drug-induced deaths. The agreement—hammered out in a second round of negotiations between House and Senate representatives—marks a significant shift in how the state approaches its escalating opioid crisis.
The compromise, reached Wednesday, establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of possessing large amounts of fentanyl:
- 3½ years for 20 grams or more
- 7 years for 50 grams or more
Additionally, anyone convicted of dispensing a drug that causes a fatal overdose would now face a minimum of 5 years in prison—down from the original Senate proposal of 10 years.
While this move signals a more aggressive stance against opioid-related crimes, the deal also includes a notable concession from the Senate: reducing the penalty for first-time possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce of psilocybin mushrooms from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Sen. Darryl Abbas, who stepped in for Sen. Bill Gannon during the second round of talks, struck the compromise that ultimately brought the two chambers together. “This is a compromise, and right now the biggest drug problem the state is facing is fentanyl,” Abbas said. “With psilocybin, you can't physically overdose, at least within reason.”
The New Hampshire Public Radio noted that the revised deal reflects the differing political philosophies between the House and Senate. House leaders, including both Republicans and Democrats, have long expressed skepticism toward mandatory minimums, arguing they remove necessary judicial discretion and often fail to address the root causes of addiction. Earlier in the session, the House attempted to soften the Senate’s original bill by giving judges more flexibility—and even tacked on a provision to decriminalize psilocybin, a move that derailed earlier negotiations.
Despite these tensions, House Republicans ultimately welcomed the compromise. “Stronger actions have to be taken with fentanyl, there is no doubt about it,” said Rep. Kevin Verville of Deerfield, a sponsor of the original psilocybin decriminalization bill. “That’s why I support this language we discussed.”
Not everyone is on board. Sen. Tara Reardon, the lone Democrat in the negotiating room, refused to endorse the agreement, citing her opposition to mandatory minimums. Nonetheless, the proposal now heads to both the House and Senate floors, where it is expected to pass next week.
The deal underscores a growing urgency in Concord to tackle the fentanyl crisis head-on, even if it means sacrificing ideological consistency. With opioid-related deaths and overdoses continuing to rise across the state, lawmakers are walking a delicate line between punishment and policy reform.
As New Hampshire prepares to implement these changes, questions remain about their long-term effectiveness. Will harsher penalties deter traffickers and save lives, or simply fill prisons without addressing addiction at its core? And will psilocybin reform signal a slow shift toward more progressive drug policies in the Granite State?
Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: New Hampshire is entering a new phase in its war on drugs.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction—especially to opioids like fentanyl—there is help. Reach out to Avenues Recovery today. Our team is here to provide expert care, compassionate support, and real solutions tailored to your journey. Healing begins with one step. Don’t wait.