House Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire House of Representatives has passed "medical marijuana" bills before, but never by such a commanding margin. On Wednesday, the House voted 286-64 to endorse "therapeutic use of cannabis."

Rep. Donald Wright, R-Tuftonboro, offered a heart-felt Floor speech in support of the bill. He spoke of his wife's 20-year battle with breast cancer. She participated in a clinical trial four years ago that appeared to be working, but it left her nauseated and frequently vomiting, he said.

"She tried marijuana and it worked instantly," Wright said. 

The bill now goes to the Senate, where advocates anticipate a tougher fight.

Gov. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat, expressed support for a tightly-written bill on the campaign trail, and her office continues to track the bill's progress and possible changes. 

Hassan spokesman Marc Goldberg said after the vote,  “The Governor believes any measure permitting the use of medically prescribed marijuana must ensure that the method of distribution is safe and tightly regulated and has concerns about the ability to properly regulate a home grow option, but she will continue to listen to the concerns of advocates, law enforcement and legislators as the legislative process moves forward.”

While still being commonly called the "medical marijuana" bill, the bill as amended has no specific mention of that phrase. Per request of the New Hampshire Medical Society, the legislation refers to the "therapeutic use of cannabis," said Matt Simon, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project.

It's "a very strong show of support," Simon said of the House vote. Other bills for medicinal use of marijuana have passed the House in the past–2009, 2011, and 2012–but not with this strong of a two-thirds majority support, he said.

The House Health and Human Services Committee voted 14-1 to recommend the bill's passage. In the House debate, Rep. John Cebrowski (R-Bedford) opposed the measure, saying it would only encourage New Hampshire youth to experiment with marijuana.

Bill details include:

• Only New Hampshire patients diagnosed with a terminal, severely debilitating or chronic condition would be eligible.
• Prospective patients must establish a relationship with a health care provider for a minimum of three months.
• The health care provider must document that traditional medications have proven ineffective.Medical providers are not required to participate in the program.
• New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to administer the program.A person qualified under the program, and registered with DHHS, would be allowed to cultivate three mature plants.

A patient using cannabis under the program would be protected from local and state prosecution, as long as the possession does not exceed amounts allowed under law. 

The amendment to HB573 is attached as a PDF document.