New Hampshire One Step Closer to Decriminalizing Possession

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For the first time in its history, the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to approve a marijuana decriminalization bill. HB 640 was amended and passed by the committee in a 3-2 vote today. A vote by the full Senate is expected on Thursday, May 11. For a summary of the bill, as amended, click here.

The House overwhelmingly approved HB 640 in February in a 318-36 vote, and it has approved similar bills eight times since 2008. The Senate Judiciary Committee vote marks the first time such a bill has been approved by a Senate…

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New Hampshire House Approves Decriminalization Measure

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The New Hampshire House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved HB 640 on Wednesday (318-36), bringing New Hampshire one step closer to becoming the final state in New England to decriminalize marijuana possession. The bill will now be considered by the Senate.

HB 640, sponsored by Rep. Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) and a bipartisan group of 10 co-sponsors, would reduce the penalty for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor, which is currently punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to…

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New Hampshire House Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession

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Marijuana Policy Project | March 8, 2017

CONCORD, NH — The state House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to approve House Bill 640, bringing New Hampshire one step closer to becoming the final state in New England to decriminalize marijuana possession.

The bill, which was approved by a vote of 318-36 by the House, will now be considered by the Senate.

HB 640, sponsored by Rep. Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) and a bipartisan group of 10 co-sponsors, would reduce the penalty for possession of one…

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New Hampshire Marijuana Bill Decriminalization Advances; Legalization Bill Killed

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Scott Gacek | February 8, 2017

CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire won’t be joining neighboring states of Maine and Massachusetts in legalizing marijuana, but the Granite State could soon follow the rest of their New England neighbors in treating marijuana possession as a violation, rather than a crime that carries a penalty including the possibility of jail time.

Lawmakers in the New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 14 to 2 on Tuesday to advance a bill to decriminalize marijuana…

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New Hampshire Hearings on Marijuana Bills Wednesday

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Two of New Hampshire’s most anticipated marijuana policy reform bills of the year have been scheduled for hearings on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 1. The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will consider public testimony on the decriminalization bill, HB 640, beginning at 1 p.m. in the House chamber. The public hearing on HB 656, which would make marijuana legal for adult use and create a regulated market system, will follow.
WHAT: Public hearings on the decriminalization bill (HB 640) and a bill that would…

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New Hampshire Marijuana Legalization Bill to Receive Hearing Wednesday

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Scott Gacek | January 30, 2017

CONCORD, NH — Lawmakers in the New Hampshire House will hold a hearing on a Republican-backed bill to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana for adults 21 and older on Wednesday.

The bill, House Bill 656, is sponsored by Reps. Glen Aldrich, Caleb Dyer, Brandon Phinney, and Nick Zaricki, all Republicans.  The proposal is not related to a similar measure filed in the Senate by Senate Minority Leader Jeff Woodburn (D).

Members of the House Committee on Criminal Justice and Public…

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Could New Hampshire Finally Decriminalize Marijuana Possession?

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TJ Baker | January 25, 2017

CONCORD, NH — Despite years of attempts to decriminalize marijuana possession in New Hampshire, the Granite State remains the only New England state where marijuana possession brings the possibility of jail time.

The New Hampshire House approved decriminalization bills in each of the last five years, only to see those bills die in the Senate.

And in what seems to be an annual rite of passage, lawmakers in the New Hampshire House have once again introduced a bill that would remove…

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Report: $740K in sales for NH medical marijuana businesses

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New Hampshire’s four fledgling medical marijuana dispensaries racked up a combined $740,000 in sales during their first few months of operation last year, indicating that the companies have a long way to go before breaking even.

The figures, which are included in a new report by the state’s health department, cover sales from the time each dispensary opened last year through Sept. 15. The report also lists how much money each company raised and how much it spent by that date as well.

The sales haul was dwarfed by the $10 million the…

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New Hampshire Marijuana Legalization Study Commission Proposed

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Scott Gacek | January 12, 2017

CONCORD, NH — A bi-partisan group of lawmakers in New Hampshire has filed a bill that would create a commission to study the legalization, taxation and regulation of marijuana in the Granite State.

House Bill 215 is sponsored in the House by Reps. Robert Cushing (D) and John O’Connor (R), and in the Senate by Sens. Dan Feltes (D) and John O’Connor (R).

If passed, the commission created by the legislation would “examine the possible impacts of changing state policy to treat…

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New Hampshire Senate Minority Leader to File Marijuana Legalization Bill

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Scott Gacek | December 19, 2016

CONCORD, NH — With two neighboring states having just legalized marijuana, a high-profile member of the New Hampshire Senate — where marijuana bills usually go to die — will push for the Granite State to follow suit when the legislature convenes in January.

Senate Minority Leader Jeff Woodburn (D-Dalton) told the Concord Monitor on Friday that he intends to file a bill to legalize marijuana in New Hampshire, the only New England state where marijuana possession remains a…

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Election Day Voter Guides

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Today is the day! This is the biggest election in marijuana policy reform history, but even if you can’t vote on a legalization or medical marijuana ballot initiative today, you could play an important part to make future progress possible in your state.logo-mpp-286-mpp-and-we-change-laws

Before you vote, please check out MPP’s voter guides if you live in the following places:

Delaware

District of Columbia

Illinois

Nebraska

New Hampshire

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Vermont

And don’t forget to tell your friends in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Maine,

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The East Coast medical cannabis market: Q&A with Ted Rebholz of Temescal Wellness

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Ted Rebholz LR

By Omar Sacirbey

Ted Rebholz was offered a high-level position at Harborside Health Center, but he turned it down to stay with a tech firm that was later sold to Cisco Systems.

Crossing paths with Harborside piqued Rebholz’s interest in the cannabis industry, paving the way for him to start a licensed MMJ business in New Hampshire. 

Rebholz’s company, Temescal Wellness, owns two of New Hampshire’s four state-allotted dispensaries.

Rebholz – who once toyed with the idea of working in the public sector for an institution like the World…

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Next New Hampshire Governor Will Support Decriminalization

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MPP’s endorsed candidates for New Hampshire governor did not win their primaries this week, but overall, the results bode well for the future of marijuana policy reform.Seal_of_New_Hampshire.svg

For the first time in the state’s history, both major parties’ nominees for governor, Executive Councilors Colin Van Ostern (D) and Chris Sununu (R), are clearly on record in favor of decriminalizing marijuana possession. It now appears virtually certain that MPP and its allies will finally be able to pass a decriminalization bill in 2017.

That wasn’t the only…

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New Hampshire Dealing With MMJ Patient Backlog

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New Hampshire’s newly-launched medical marijuana industry could probably use some more patient customers. And they may be coming, but not right away as the state tries to handle a backlog of MMJ patient applications that haven’t yet been fully processed.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has issued MMJ cards to 1,339 patients since December, the Concord Monitor reported. But even more have been waiting longer than the legal 20 days to receive their cards since handing in their applications.


License Directory SidebarAt least 100 patients…

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New Hampshire Senate Punts Decriminalization Bill to Hostile Conference Committee

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On Thursday, the New Hampshire Senate had a golden opportunity to reduce marijuana possession penalties, but they failed to seize it. Rather than passing SB 498, which had been amended by the House to decriminalize possession of one-quarter ounce or less of marijuana for first offenses, the Senate voted to send the bill to a conference committee. This committee will be comprised of three senators and four representatives, who will meet to discuss a possible compromise between the two chambers.

Sadly, the three…

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First Medical Marijuana Dispensary (Finally) Open in New Hampshire

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CONCORD, NH — It took two years, nine months, and eight days, but New Hampshire’s medical marijuana patients finally have access to a safe, legal supply of cannabis.

On Saturday, the Granite State’s first medical marijuana dispensary, Sanctuary ATC in Plymouth, opened its doors to patients just one day after receiving their registration certificate to operate from state officials.

“When the Therapeutic Cannabis Program was established by the Legislature, it envisioned that people in New Hampshire suffering from serious medical…

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New Hampshire Senate Refuses to Reduce Marijuana Penalties for Seventh Time

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Despite overwhelming public support for reducing New Hampshire’s draconian marijuana penalties, today New Hampshire senators voted 14-10 to kill this year’s marijuana decriminalization bill. This marked the seventh time since 2008 that the House has passed a decriminalization bill only to watch it be shot down by prohibitionists in the Senate.

If you are a New Hampshire resident, please take a moment to thank or criticize your senator for his or her vote.

Fortunately, there is a bright side: Election season is…

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New Hampshire House Approves Decriminalization Bill

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Yesterday evening, despite a negative recommendation from the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, the New Hampshire House of Representatives kept its streak of passing marijuana decriminalization bills alive when it overturned the committee and approved HB 1631 in a voice vote. Sponsored by Rep. Adam Schroadter (R-Newmarket), this sensible bill would reduce the penalty for possessing up to one-half ounce of marijuana to a violation punishable only by a fine. The House has now passed decriminalization…

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New Hampshire House Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

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New Hampshire House Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

HB 1631 would replace criminal penalties and potential jail time with a civil fine for possession of small amounts of marijuana

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday evening in a voice vote that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana and replace them with a civil fine.  The measure will move to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 1631 would make possession of up to one-half ounce of marijuana a civil violation punishable by a fine of $100 for a first…

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New Hampshire to Consider Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Today

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New Hampshire to Consider Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Today

CONCORD, NH — Lawmakers in the New Hampshire House are expected to consider a bill Wednesday that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the Granite State.

If passed, House Bill 1631, sponsored by Rep. Adam Schroadter (R-Newmarket), would reduce the penalty for possessing up to one-half ounce of marijuana from current criminal penalties to a violation punishable only by a fine.

In addition to the marijuana being confiscated, offenders would be levied a fine of $100 for a first offense, a fine of $200 for a…

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New Hampshire House to Consider Marijuana Bill This Week

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It’s been a tough year for marijuana policy reform efforts in New Hampshire. The House has already killed several bills seeking to improve the state’s marijuana laws, including two bills that would have made marijuana legal for adult use.

Rep. Adam Schroadter

Fortunately, there is one important bill that still has a reasonable chance of passing into law. Sponsored by Rep. Adam Schroadter (R-Newmarket), HB 1631 would reduce the penalty for possessing up to one-half ounce of marijuana to a violation punishable…

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Polls: Majority Support for Cannabis in FL, NH, Canada

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A recent trio of polls suggest that attitudes towards cannabis reform continue to spread, with support for marijuana legalization evident in Florida, New Hampshire and Canada.

In Florida, 65% of voters said they will vote for one of the two medical marijuana legalization efforts being pushed in the state, compared to 28% who are against such measures, according to Public Policy Polling. A referendum in that state needs 60% of the vote to be adopted. According to the study, MMJ legalization…

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New Hampshire Poll Shows 62% Support for Legalization

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A WMUR Granite State Poll released Tuesday found that a majority of New Hampshire residents support making marijuana legal for adults:

New Hampshire legalized marijuana for medical purposes in 2013, but bills to legalize marijuana for recreational use have not passed the legislature. However, a majority of Granite Staters support legalizing recreational marijuana in New Hampshire and have for several years. Currently, 62% support legalizing marijuana for recreational use (41% strongly and 21%…

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Latest New Hampshire Poll Finds 62% Support Marijuana Legalization

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Latest New Hampshire Poll Finds 62% Support Marijuana Legalization

Only 20% of Granite State residents want to continue arresting marijuana users

MANCHESTER, NH — Less than a month after the New Hampshire House killed a pair of marijuana legalization proposals, a new poll has found that a strong majority of residents support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults.

According to the Granite State Poll — conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center and sponsored by WMUR-TV — released Tuesday, 62% of residents surveyed support legalizing marijuana for adults.  Forty-one…

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New Hampshire House Kills Two Marijuana Legalization Bills

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New Hampshire House Kills Two Marijuana Legalization Bills

CONCORD, NH — Last week, the New Hampshire House defeated two of the three proposed bills to legalize marijuana in the Granite State.

In a voice vote Wednesday, lawmakers defeated House Bill 1675, sponsored by Rep. Michael Brewster (R-Merrimack).  The proposal would have legalized the possession of up to 2.2 pounds of marijuana by adults 18 or older, as well as the personal cultivation of up to six cannabis plants (three of which may be mature).  Retail marijuana sales would have been authorized, with sales subject to a $30 per…

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Poll: New Hampshire Primary Voters Strongly Support Decriminalizing Drug Possession

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Poll: New Hampshire Primary Voters Strongly Support Decriminalizing Drug Possession

Majorities of Republicans, Democrats and Independents Oppose Arresting People for Simple Possession of Any Drug, Want Health Insurers to Provide Treatment and Support Eliminating Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders

CONCORD, NH — A substantial majority of New Hampshire presidential primary voters support decriminalizing drug possession, according to a new poll released by the Drug Policy Alliance.

Sixty-six percent of voters in the first-in-the-nation primary, including half of all Republicans and 68% of independents,…

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ASA Releases New Report on State Medical Marijuana Programs

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With the release last year of the first detailed analysis and comparison of state medical marijuana laws, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) created a patient-focused tool to identify effective programs and problem areas. That groundbreaking report was followed by the release of ASA’s new, far more detailed report on state programs, which reflects the many new states that have added programs as well as others that have improved their existing programs.

Like the original report, this latest white paper enables advocates, policy makers and…

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ASA Report Evaluates Medical Marijuana Programs Nationwide

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ASA Report Evaluates Medical Marijuana Programs Nationwide

Patient Advocates Hope Report will Help State Legislators “Make the Grade” in 2016

WASHINGTON, DC — Americans for Safe Access (ASA) issued “Medical Marijuana Access in the US: A Patient-Focused Analysis of the Patchwork of State Laws,” on Tuesday. The annual report evaluates the array of differing state medical cannabis programs across the country from a perspective often overlooked in policy debates: the patients’ and provides policy makers with model legislation and regulations. With dozens of states already seeing legislative…

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Location of First New Hampshire Medical Grow Site Approved

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Location of First New Hampshire Medical Grow Site Approved

CONCORD, NH — Officials overseeing New Hampshire’s medical marijuana program have announced the approval of a location for the first registered medical marijuana growing facility, marking a sign of progress in an implementation that has experienced serious delays.

In a press release issued Thursday, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced that Sanctuary ATC, located in Rochester, is the first to receive approval to begin cultivating cannabis in the state:

The NH Department of Health and Human Services…

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Hearing on Legalizing Marijuana in New Hampshire Scheduled for Tuesday

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CONCORD, NH — A key committee in the New Hampshire House of Representatives will hold a legislative hearing next week on three proposals to legalize marijuana in the Granite State.

The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee has scheduled public hearings for Tuesday, January 19 to consider House Bills 1610, 1675 and 1694.  The hearings begin at 10 am.

House Bill 1610, co-sponsored by Reps. Michael Sylvia (R-Belknap) and Robert Hull (R-Grafton), would allow adults 21 or older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, grow…

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Three Marijuana Legalization Bills Filed in New Hampshire

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CONCORD, NH — With New Hampshire’s 2016 legislative session now underway, three separate proposals to legalize marijuana for adults have been introduced to the state legislature.

House Bill 1610, co-sponsored by Reps. Michael Sylvia (R-Belknap) and Robert Hull (R-Grafton), would allow adults 21 or older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, grow up to six cannabis plants (three of which may be mature), and give up to one ounce of marijuana to another adult without financial compensation.  As written, the bill does not authorize…

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Maine Dispensaries Could Get Boost From NH Patients

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Dispensaries in Maine could start seeing an influx of patients from New Hampshire, at least temporarily.

New Hampshire decided to start issuing medical marijuana cards to registered patients this week even though the first dispensaries won’t open until spring of 2016 at the earliest.

Until those dispensaries open, registered patients can visit nearby Maine – which allows medical cannabis sales to visitors who have valid MMJ cards from other states – to purchase marijuana.

Maine medical…

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New Hampshire to Start Issuing Medical Marijuana Cards

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CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services will begin issuing the first round of medical marijuana ID cards to patients as early as next week, allowing patients to purchase medical marijuana in nearby Maine and legally possess it in New Hampshire.

In a press release issued Tuesday, the Department said they will begin issuing medical marijuana ID cards on Monday, December 28.

Previously, the Department had said that they would not issue ID cards to patients until medical marijuana dispensaries were operational…

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New Hampshire Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed for 2016

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CONCORD, NH — A bill to allow adults 21 or older to legally possess up to two ounces of marijuana in New Hampshire has been pre-filed for the upcoming 2016 legislative session.

House Bill 1610 is sponsored by Reps. Michael Sylvia (R-Belknap) and Robert Hull (R-Grafton).

If passed, the bill would allow adults 21 or older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, grow up to six cannabis plants (three of which may be mature), and give up to one ounce of marijuana to another adult without financial compensation.

As written, the bill does not…

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New Hampshire’s First (and Only) Medical Marijuana Patient will Finally Access Medical Marijuana at Maine Dispensary on Friday

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Last month, a judge ordered the New Hampshire Health Department to issue an ID card to Linda Horan so that she can legally purchase medical marijuana in Maine and not face arrest and prosecution in New Hampshire

PORTLAND, ME — A terminally ill woman who successfully sued the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to obtain the state’s first medical marijuana patient ID card will visit a medical marijuana dispensary in Portland, Maine on Friday.

Linda Horan of Alstead, who suffers from Stage 4 lung cancer, will…

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New Hampshire Judge Orders State to Issue ID Card to Cancer Patient

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New Hampshire patients who have been desperately waiting for the state to begin issuing ID cards can finally breathe a sigh of relief. This afternoon, Merrimack County Superior Court Judge Robert McNamara ruled in favor of Linda Horan, a terminal lung cancer patient who wishes to obtain medical marijuana legally from a dispensary in Maine. The state will now have to issue Linda an ID card without delay (you can read the full court order here). The card will protect Linda from arrest in New Hampshire and allow her…

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Judge Orders NH Health Dept. to Issue Medical Marijuana Card to Terminal Patient

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With an ID card, Linda Horan will be able to obtain medical marijuana legally in Maine and use it without fear of arrest in New Hampshire; Horan sued DHHS after it refused to issue ID cards until dispensaries open next year

CONCORD, NH — On Tuesday, a Merrimack County Superior Court Judge ordered the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to issue a medical marijuana ID card to a woman with terminal cancer in order to expedite her access to medical marijuana.

Linda Horan of Alstead filed a lawsuit against DHHS…

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Hearing Thursday for Terminal NH Cancer Patient Seeking Medical Marijuana Access

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Linda Horan of Alstead wants a New Hampshire medical marijuana ID card, which would allow her to obtain medical marijuana legally in Maine and protect her from arrest and prosecution in New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — Merrimack County Superior Court will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. on Thursday on a lawsuit against New Hampshire Commissioner of Health and Human Services Nicholas Toumpas filed by a terminal cancer patient seeking access to medical marijuana.

Linda Horan of Alstead, who is suffering from Stage 4 lung cancer, filed a…

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Terminal Cancer Patient Seeking Medical Marijuana Files Lawsuit Against New Hampshire Commissioner of Health and Human Services

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Suit filed Thursday by Linda Horan of Alstead asks DHHS to take swift action so that she can immediately begin accessing medical marijuana to mitigate ‘intolerably painful side effects’ of stage IV lung cancer — ‘She does not wish to spend her last months in a narcotic haze from prescribed opiates’

CONCORD, NH — A terminal cancer patient seeking expedited access to medical marijuana filed a lawsuit Thursday in Merrimack County Superior Court against New Hampshire Commissioner of Health and Human Services Nicholas Toumpas.

The…

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NH Cancer Patient Sues Over Lack of Medical Marijuana Card

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Suit filed Thursday by Linda Horan of Alstead asks DHHS to take swift action so that she can immediately begin accessing medical marijuana to mitigate ‘intolerably painful side effects’ of stage IV lung cancer — ‘She does not wish to spend her last months in a narcotic haze from prescribed opiates’

CONCORD, NH — A terminal cancer patient seeking expedited access to medical marijuana filed a lawsuit Thursday in Merrimack County Superior Court against New Hampshire Commissioner of Health and Human Services Nicholas Toumpas.

The…

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New Hampshire Allowing Pre-Registration for Medical Marijuana Patients

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Today, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced the opening of a pre-registration process for the therapeutic use of cannabis program. The announcement, which appears on the department’s website, explains that patients and their designated caregivers may now submit their applications and that dispensaries are expected to open in the first quarter of 2016. The application forms are now available online.

Unfortunately, the department still says it will not begin issuing ID cards until the…

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Public Meetings this Week to Determine New Hampishere Dispensary Locations

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There will be a series of meetings over the next several days to discuss locations for where the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation centers will be licensed. The meetings will take place in the towns of Plymouth, Peterborough, Lebanon, and Merrimack. We encourage you to attend these meetings and show your support for safe and legal access.

Medical marijuana businesses make good neighbors. Studies have shown that medical marijuana businesses do not cause an increase in crime. In fact, they have a minor impact in reducing crime by increasing foot traffic as well as the security cameras and other required safety features. You can learn more about dispensary safety in the community by reading ASA’s dispensary reports for Massachusetts and California.

Monday, August…

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Support for Marijuana Legalization Growing in New Hampshire

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DURHAM, NH — A growing number of adults in New Hampshire support legalizing marijuana, according to a new poll released Thursday.

According to the Granite State Poll released Thursday, sponsored by WMUR-TV and conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, 60% of adults in New Hampshire support legalizing marijuana for recreational use, with only 35% opposed.  The remaining 5% were neutral or unsure.

The poll’s findings represent an increase since a similar Granite State Poll released in May, which found 54% in favor of legalization.

If marijuana were to be legalized in the Granite State, 70% of those polled approve of selling it at licensed retail outlets and taxing it, similar to how alcohol is sold.

Support for decriminalizing marijuana in New Hampshire is even…

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MPP Releases Report Criticizing New Hampshire Medical Marijuana Program

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Delays, Confusion, and Continued Arrests: A Two-Year Retrospective on New Hampshire’s “Therapeutic Use of Cannabis” Law

WASHINGTON, DC — On two year anniversary of New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan signing legislation making New Hampshire the 19th medical marijuana state, the Washington, DC-based Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) released a report Thursday heavily criticizing the state’s implementation of the law.

Gov. Hassan signed House Bill 573 into law on July 23, 2015, creating the limited and restrictive “Therapeutic Use of Cannabis” program, which was to be administered by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Two years later, however, patients in the state who’s motto is “Live Free or Die” have yet to be provided with any safe, legal access…

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New Hampshire Gov. Signs Bill Expanding Medical Marijuana Conditions

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CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan has signed into law a bill that will add epilepsy, lupus and Parkinson’s disease to the list of conditions that qualify a patient for medical marijuana use in the state.

The widely supported bill, House Bill 476, was approved earlier this year by a voice vote in each chamber of the legislature.  The new conditions will be added to the program when the bill takes effect in 60 days.

Once the bill takes effect, epilepsy, lupus and Parkinson’s disease will be added to the list of qualifying conditions that currently includes cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pancreatitis, spinal cord injury or disease, and traumatic brain injuries.

New…

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New Hampshire Finally Licensing Dispensaries

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There is finally good news regarding the implementation of New Hampshire’s medical marijuana law.

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that three applicants have been approved to move forward with their plans to open dispensaries in four geographic areas.

One applicant was granted the ability to operate two dispensaries, while the two others may operate one dispensary each.

The announcement came more than four months after the department’s January 23 deadline. The delay was very disappointing, but late is obviously better than never.

The details, including the names of the three approved entities, are available here at the department’s website.

This news, while positive, does not necessarily mean that safe, state-legal access for patients is right around…

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New Hampshire Selects Medical Marijuana Providers

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CONCORD, NH — On Tuesday, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the three providers that have been selected to operate the four medical marijuana dispensaries in the state.

Of the three selected, one provider will be responsible for operating two dispensaries, called “alternative treatment centers” in New Hampshire.

“This is an important milestone to bring the Alternative Treatment Centers on-line,” said DHHS Commissioner Nicholas A. Toumpas. “Now that the selections have been made, we will work closely with the selected Treatment Centers to make them operational as soon as possible so that they can open their doors and begin to provide…

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Source: The Daily Chronic

Where is New Hampshire’s Medical Marijuana Program?

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Meet Joe Lachance.

Joe has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, two master’s degrees, is an active member of his local Congregational Church and the Republican party, and is married with two children.

Joe is a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the 25th Infantry Division from 1989 to 1992.  While serving his country, Joe suffered an injury that resulted in permanent nerve damage to his back and right leg, resulting in severe chronic pain that persists to this day — one of several service-related conditions…

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New Hampshire Marijuana Decriminalization Vote Expected Next Week

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CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Senate is expected to vote next week on a bill that could make New Hampshire the final New England state to remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, despite a recommendation against the bill’s passage this week by a key Senate committee.

House Bill 618, which was overwhelmingly approved by the House 297 to 67 in March, would replace penalties for marijuana possession, which currently could land an offender in jail for up to a year, with a fine-only offense. New…

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