MPP - NH Senate Approves Medical Marijuana Bill

Full New Hampshire Senate Approves Medical Marijuana Bill

Measure that has received overwhelming support in the Senate and House would allow patients with serious illnesses to obtain and use medical marijuana, but a committee of conference will be needed to fix errors and reconcile differences between the two chambers

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Senate approved a bill 18-6 on Thursday that would allow state residents with serious illnesses, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS, to obtain and use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it. The measure will now be transmitted to the House of Representatives, which is expected to call for a committee of conference to fix errors and resolve differences between the House and Senate versions. The House overwhelmingly approved the bill 286-64 on March 20, but some problematic changes were made in the Senate at the behest of Gov. Maggie Hassan and her legal counsel, Lucy Hodder.

“We applaud the senators for adopting this compassionate and much-needed legislation despite its imperfections,” said Matt Simon, a New Hampshire-based legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project. “Those suffering from debilitating medical conditions deserve safe and legal access to medical marijuana, and the Senate has once again clearly indicated its support for patients.”

HB 573, sponsored by State Rep. Donna Schlachman (D-Exeter), will allow residents with certain debilitating illnesses to use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it. Patients will be able to obtain marijuana through one of four non-profit, state-licensed alternative treatment centers.

The bill initially approved by the House allowed patients to grow up to three mature marijuana plants in their homes and to raise a defense in court if they are arrested before patient ID cards are available, but the Senate removed the provisions at the behest of Gov. Hassan, who has otherwise expressed support for passing medical marijuana legislation. The amended bill also contains errors that would render the policy unworkable and will need to be fixed by the committee of conference.

“In time, if a few simple problems are fixed, this bill will give patients much-needed relief,” Simon said. “The amendments made at the behest of our governor will leave patients out in the cold for at least two years, having to choose between needlessly suffering or turning to the underground market to find their medicine. Patients will continue to make the case to Gov. Hassan for why this bill needs to be substantially improved, and she has said she will continue to listen.”

Eighteen states and Washington, D.C. allow patients with qualifying conditions to use medical marijuana with recommendations from their physicians. Similar legislation has been introduced in 16 additional states this year, and it is anticipated in one more state.

# # #

The Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s largest marijuana-policy-reform organization, has been responsible for changing most state-level marijuana laws since 2000. For more information, visit http://www.marijuanapolicy.org.

MPP - Lawmakers Call on Gov. Hassan to Recognize Patient Needs

State Lawmakers Will Join Advocates to Call on Gov. Hassan and the Legislature to Recognize Patients' Immediate Need for Legal Access to Medical Marijuana

Gov. Hassan is insisting legislators remove a provision from HB 573 that would allow patients with serious illnesses to grow their own supply of medical marijuana, leaving patients with no legal source of marijuana for two or more years while alternative treatment centers are being developed

Group will discuss a potential compromise at a news conference Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET following a Senate Committee on Health, Education, and Human Services meeting regarding the bill

CONCORD – New Hampshire State Reps. Donna Schlachman (D-Exeter) and Donald "Ted" Wright (R-Tuftonboro) and other legislators will join medical marijuana advocates – including a retired police sergeant and drug task force member – at a news conference Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET in the lobby of the Legislative Office Building, where they will call on Gov. Maggie Hassan and members of the state legislature to recognize patients' immediate need for legal access to medical marijuana. Gov. Hassan is insisting legislators remove a provision from HB 573 that would allow patients with serious illnesses to grow their own supply of medical marijuana, which would leave patients with no legal source of marijuana for two or more years while alternative treatment centers are being developed.

The news conference is scheduled to follow a Senate Health and Human Services Committee meeting regarding the bill. The Senate meeting will begin at 9 a.m. ET in Room 103 of the Legislative Office Building.

HB 573, sponsored by Rep. Schlachman and co-sponsored by Rep. Wright, whose wife has battled breast cancer for 20 years, was approved in March by more than 80% of the House of Representatives. It would allow patients with certain debilitating medical conditions to grow up to three marijuana plants in their homes or obtain marijuana through one of five state-licensed alternative treatment centers.

"The bill has strong support among state legislators, and we are willing to make any reasonable compromise in order to meet the immediate needs of seriously ill New Hampshire citizens," said Matt Simon, a New Hampshire-based legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project. "We are confident that legislators can arrive at a solution that recognizes the immediate needs of patients and addresses the governor's concerns."

WHAT:  News conference to call on Gov. Maggie Hassan and members of the legislature to recognize patients' immediate need for legal access to medical marijuana

WHEN:  Tuesday, May 7, 10 a.m. ET (following 9 a.m. ET committee meeting)

WHERE:  Lobby of the Legislative Office Building, 33 N. State St., Concord

WHO: Rep. Donna Schlachman (D-Exeter), prime sponsor of HB 573

Rep. Donald “Ted” Wright (R-Tuftonboro), co-sponsor of HB 573 whose wife, Cindy, has been battling breast cancer for more than 20 years

John Tommasi, Salem police sergeant (Ret.), former member of the New Hampshire Drug Task Force

Matt Simon, legislative analyst, Marijuana Policy Project

Devon Chaffee, executive director, New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union

Richard Vincent, Loudon-based multiple sclerosis patient and leader of MS Support Group in Concord

# # #

The Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s largest marijuana-policy-reform organization, has been responsible for changing most state-level marijuana laws since 2000. For more information, visit http://www.marijuanapolicy.org.

NH Medical Marijuana Bill Hearing

Measure that received overwhelming House approval would allow patients with serious illnesses to obtain and use medical marijuana

New Hampshire-based representative from nation’s largest marijuana policy organization available for comment

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Senate Health and Human Services Committee will hold a hearing Thursday on a bill that would allow state residents with serious illnesses to obtain and use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it. The hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST in Room 100 of the State House (107 N. Main St.).

H.B. 573, introduced by State Rep. Donna Schlachman (D-Exeter), was transmitted to the Senate after being approved by more than 80% of the New Hampshire House of Representatives on March 20. It would allow patients with certain debilitating medical conditions to grow up to three marijuana plants in their homes or obtain marijuana through one of five state-licensed alternative treatment centers.

Matt Simon, a New Hampshire-based legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project, will be testifying in support of the bill and is available for comment at 603-391-7450.

WHAT:  Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing on H.B. 573, which would allow seriously ill patients to obtain and use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it

WHEN: Thursday, April 11, 1 p.m. EST

WHERE: New Hampshire State House, Room 100, 107 N. Main St., Concord

WHO: Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Matt Simon, Marijuana Policy Project legislative analyst

Patients and advocates supporting H.B. 573

MPP - NH: Medical Marijuana Bill Approved by 80% of House

House approves bill by record 286-64 margin

Statement below from the nation’s largest marijuana policy reform organization, the Marijuana Policy Project

CONCORD – A bill allowing seriously ill New Hampshire residents to use marijuana for medical purposes moved one step closer to becoming law Wednesday afternoon when the House voted in favor by a record 286-64 margin.

Similar bills passed the House with more than two-thirds support in 2009, 2011, and 2012, but this year’s total represents the strongest show of support yet by the House.

House Bill 573, sponsored by Rep. Donna Schlachman (D-Exeter), was previously approved 14-1 by the House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs. The committee made a number of changes to the bill, including a language change — from “medical marijuana” to “therapeutic use of cannabis” — which was suggested by the New Hampshire Medical Society. As amended, the bill would allow qualifying patients to cultivate up to three mature plants or obtain cannabis from one of five non-profit, state-regulated alternative treatment centers.

The bill will next be considered by the Senate, which passed similar legislation in 2009 and 2012. Gov. Hassan previously expressed support for making medical marijuana legal in the Granite State.

Statement from Matt Simon, a New Hampshire-based legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project:

“This overwhelming vote comes as a great relief to patients who have been waiting years to legally follow their doctors’ advice. Patients should not have to live in fear of arrest in the ‘Live Free or Die’ state, and it’s a great relief for them to see such strong, bipartisan support from the House.”

# # #

The Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s largest marijuana-policy-reform organization, has been responsible for changing most state-level marijuana laws since 2000. For more information, visit http://www.marijuanapolicy.org.

CannabisIndustry.org - Medical Marijuana Experts Host Boston Educational Event

Professionals from around the nation featured at day-long event

Press credentials available

Boston, MA – The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) will host the Northeastern CannaBusiness Symposium on March 16 in downtown Boston. Prior to the release of the Massachusetts medical marijuana regulations slated for March 28, stakeholders in Massachusetts' future medical marijuana market and others engaged in medical marijuana business in the northeast will gather for this trade association symposium.

The half-day educational program will present investors and entrepreneurs interested in Massachusetts emerging medical cannabis market with a unique opportunity to glean information from cannabusiness professionals and experts in the fields of regulatory models, operations and ancillary businesses. The event will feature individual and panel presentations, question and answer periods, and an evening networking reception.

"NCIA is honored to have the opportunity to ensure development of the most well-educated and sophisticated local medical cannabis market by connecting Northeastern entrepreneurs with the best and brightest minds in the national industry," said Aaron Smith, NCIA's executive director. "Collectively, the symposium speakers represent decades of experience in the legal medical cannabis industry and can provide unique insight to those looking to contribute to the Commonwealth's nascent industry."

What: Northeastern CannaBusiness Symposium

Where: Courtyard Boston Downtown/Tremont, 275 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

When: Saturday, March 16, 12-8 p.m.

Who: Betty Aldworth, National Cannabis Industry Association 
Jessica Billingsley, MJ Freeway
Jay Czarkowski, CANNA Advisors
Troy Dayton, ArcView Group
Becky DeKeuster, Wellness Connection of Maine
Scott Hawkins, GRUN Strategic
Rob Hunt, Coalition for Responsible Patient Care
Tripp Keber, Dixie Elixirs
Kayvan Khalatbari, Denver Relief Consulting
Patrick McManamon, Cannassure
Genifer Murray, CannLabs
Christian Sederberg, Colorado's Amendment 64 Task Force
Matt Simon, Marijuana Policy Project
Ken Sobel, The Green Halo
Aaron Smith, National Cannabis Industry Association
Chris Walsh, Medical Marijuana Business Daily
Tim Ward, Blue Sage Microbes

For more information, including a complete agenda and speaker list, please visit TheCannabisIndustry.org/NESymposium.