New Hampshire exempts herbal tinctures from liquor laws

Governor Kelly Ayotte has signed Senate Bill 524 in New Hampshire, which exempts alcohol-based herbal tinctures sold as dietary supplements from state liquor laws. The change is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The legislation addresses a regulatory gap identified by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission in late 2025. Previously, the commission held jurisdiction over these products, which required retailers to remove them from standard shelves. The new law clarifies that liquor laws do not apply to alcoholic preparations “not fit for use as a beverage,” a category that includes dietary supplements, nonprescription medicines, and flavoring extracts.

This regulatory shift allows herbal tinctures, which use ethanol as a solvent to extract active plant compounds, to remain on ordinary retail shelves rather than being handled under strict liquor regulations.