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Should NH eliminate its ban on the hobby distillation of liquors?

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New Hampshire’s prohibition on hobby distillation of liquors—liquor distillation for personal use—could end, if a bill sponsored by Rep. Scott Wallace becomes law.

Currently, only the personal production of beer and wine is permitted in the Granite State, for adults of legal age. Though it is legal for an individual to own a still, only persons possessing a state license can actually produce liquor.

If HB 427 becomes law, liquor would be added to state statutes governing the personal production of beer and wine. Distilling up to 200 gallons of liquor per household would be legal without a license. The liquor produced under this clause must be for personal and family use only, and cannot be sold.

Legalizing hobby distillation of spirits at the state level still leaves home liquor producers subject to federal regulations, which prohibit producing spirits without receiving approval from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau—a complex and expensive process not accessible to most home producers.

Opponents of HB 427 point out that the law could leave those who produce liquor at home vulnerable to federal charges. Others oppose the law because producing spirits at home entails greater risks of poisoning, fire, or explosion than production of beer or wine.

Supporters of HB 427 argue that as liquor is legal for adults to consume, they should have the right to make it for personal use, just like beer and wine, and argue that the process is no more dangerous than many other legal home enterprises. Others point to the state’s medicinal marijuana law as an example of where state policy can conflict with federal regulations but still be effectively implemented.

UPDATE: Read our Citizen Voices℠ report and find out where New Hampshire stands on this issue.

 

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