This week, several cannabis policy reform bills advanced in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. You may have already heard that the adult-use legalization bill (HB 1633) passed the House Thursday in a 239-141 vote. However, that wasn’t the only development – four therapeutic cannabis bills also took important steps forward.
Before we talk about the therapeutic cannabis bills, let’s take a moment to discuss HB 1633. This bill is far from perfect, but we greatly appreciate legislators’ efforts to craft a workable compromise.
As you may recall, Governor Chris Sununu indicated last May that he would sign a legalization bill if it meets his criteria. The lead sponsor of HB 1633, Rep. Erica Layon, has worked hard in recent weeks to develop an amendment that addresses concerns expressed by senators and the governor. The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee adopted her amendment last week and ultimately voted to recommend the bill in a 17-3 vote.
Although some of the details are not very appealing to advocates, the amendment certainly improves the bill’s chances of passage. After the House vote, Senate President Jeb Bradley acknowledged that there may be enough votes to pass it in the 24-member Senate.
In other words, this could go either way.
If you’d like to read more about HB 1633, check out this detailed summary published by the Marijuana Policy Project. You can also read the full text, as amended by the House, here. Next, the bill will be considered by the House Finance Committee.
Although we share some of the concerns that have been expressed, overall we are pleased with the bill’s progress. As HB 1633 moves forward, we will continue working to ensure that patients and ATCs will not be left behind if it becomes law. (Vermont’s medical cannabis program is “in a rapid decline,” and we want to make sure that doesn’t happen in New Hampshire.)
Therapeutic Cannabis Bills Advance
Earlier this week, the House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs voted to recommend passage of these three bills:
- HB 1231 (Thomas) would permit qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use. The vote was 15-4.
- HB 1349 (Howard) would add generalized anxiety disorder as a qualifying condition for therapeutic cannabis. The vote was 19-0.
- HB 1350 (Howard) would increase the possession and 10-day purchase limit for patients and caregivers from 2 ounces to 4 ounces. The vote was 19-0.
The committee voted “inexpedient to legislate” on one other bill, so it appears unlikely to pass the House:
- HB 1240 (Howard) – adding eating disorders as qualifying conditions for therapeutic cannabis. Vote was 14-5.
As a reminder, we previously reported on two bills that passed their committees and appear likely to pass the House:
- HB 1278 (Thomas) would allow therapeutic cannabis certifications for any medical condition or symptom if the provider believes the potential benefits outweigh the risks for the patient. HB 1278 has already passed the House once. It is now on track to advance to the Senate after receiving unanimous support in the House Ways and Means Committee.
- HB 1581 (Vail) would allow ATCs to operate a second cultivation location, which could be a greenhouse. (Currently, New Hampshire ATCs may only grow indoors, which contributes to higher costs for therapeutic cannabis.) The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs voted 18-2 in favor of this bill.
Thank you for your interest in the status of cannabis policy reform efforts in New Hampshire!
