Registered Patients can grow Cannabis at Home: New Bill in New Hampshire Senate

Update: 

• New Hampshire SB 420, which would have allowed registered New Hampshire medical cannabis patients to cultivate their own cannabis, has stagnated. 
• Republican Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed SB 364, originally passed in 2019, which held similar provisions for cannabis cultivation by registered medical cannabis patients. 
• In April 2022, two House-passed bills (HB 629 and HB 1598), proposing similar provisions to both NH SB 420 and SB 364, were defeated. 

At present, New Hampshire patients still face an uphill battle to achieve consistent access to affordable medical cannabis and the ability to cultivate their own medication. To review current New Hampshire medical and therapeutic cannabis laws and real-time updates, visit the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services website. Paybotic continues to stay abreast of changing state laws to bring you the most up-to-date information and FinTech solutions for cannabis business owners. 

7/31/2021:

The New Hampshire Senate has approved SB 420, introduced in 2020, under which medical cannabis patients could grow marijuana in their home under regulated conditions.

As of 2021, there are an estimated 7000 patients registered under the New Hampshire State Medical Cannabis Program. However,there are only four dispensaries in the state that sell medical cannabis products. SB 420, if adopted, could solve this problem, empowering New Hampshire patients who are registered under the State Medical Cannabis Program to grow their cannabis at home.

New Hampshire SB 420 At A Glance 

• Patients registered under the State Medical Cannabis Program will be eligible to grow cannabis at home.
• Each patient will be allowed to grow 12 seedlings,  6 mature, and 3 young cannabis plants at home. No independent patient will be eligible to produce more than the mentioned amount.

 SB 420 Pros 

• There are only 4 dispensaries in the state of New Hampshire, serving the state’s 7000 registered medical cannabis patients. 
• New Hampshire medical cannabis patients spend an average of  $400 every month for their medical cannabis products. The ability to cultivate their own cannabis would reduce this cost to an estimated  $100 per month, providing consistent, affordable access to medication. 
• Data indicates that consistent access to affordable medical cannabis reduces the dependence on opioids in chronic pain patients, which could mitigate the ongoing opioid crisis in the U.S.   

SB 420 Cons

• The Republican Senate and the State Association of Chiefs of Police oppose the adoption of New Hampshire SB 420. 
• Opposition argues that it’s not safe or feasible to allow patients to grow cannabis at home, and that SB 420 could lead to misuse.

Another development has been made in the Medical Marijuana Industry in New Hampshire. The Senate has approved a Bill that states that patients can now grow marijuana in their home only by following some conditions.

According to the reports, there are 7000 patients registered under the State Medical Cannabis Program. But, there are only four dispensaries that sell marijuana medicines. Looking at this problem, the Senate has decided that patients who are registered under the program can grow their required cannabis at home.

The Bill: Regulations:

• According to Bill, the patients who are registered under the State Medical Cannabis Program will be eligible to grow cannabis at home.
• Each patient will be allowed to grow 12 seedlings, six mature, and three young plants at home. No one will be eligible to produce more than the mentioned amount.

Advantage of the Bill:

• As mentioned for 7000 patients, there are only four dispensaries available in Hampshire. Each patient, on an average, has to spend at least $400 every month for their marijuana medicines. However, growing their own cannabis will cost them at the max $100 per month.
• It has been seen that patients who are registered under the program but cannot afford to spend $400 every month, are shifting to the much cheaper medicines called Opioids.

Disadvantage: Opposition of the Bill:

• Republican Senate and the State Association of Chiefs of Police have opposed the Bill. According to them, it is not feasible to allow patients to grow cannabis at home. It can lead to misuse of the same as well as it can be harmful to others.
• The worry of Republican Senate has been taken into account. It has also been said that the original version of the Bill has the provision of home-grown. But, as the disadvantage of misuse can take place, the Senate is reconsidering the Bill.