New Hampshire lawmakers introduced a measure to permit medical marijuana dispensaries to become for-profit companies from nonprofit organizations.
The legislation introduced by Rep. Wendy Thomas, D-California, was sent back to the House Finance Committee in accordance with the rules of the committee for fiscally significant measures after it had cleared an initial panel and passed the House of Representatives. On Thursday, a subcommittee within that panel approved the proposal unanimously with a vote of 9-0.
Rep. Carol McGuire (R) noted the near unanimity of support in the chamber as the legislation has moved through the process—with a fiscal note that showed a $13,000 cost estimate to implement the law that narrowly rose to the occasion of triggering a Finance Committee review.
The alternative treatment centres will be able to run more efficiently. It will also, hopefully, lower costs for medical cannabis users. She said, “So I am in full support.”
The fact that New Hampshire’s medical marijuana dispensaries (called alternative treatment centers, or ATCs under New Hampshire Law) do not qualify as federally non-profit organizations is one of the reasons for the new legislation. They are non-profits in New Hampshire, but not federally. This has led to higher operating costs.
An advocate says that these costs will be passed along to the patients and this is why a policy change is needed. They also claim that New Hampshire’s current cannabis policy pushes adults to purchase products from other states.
Matt Simon is the director of government and public relations for medical marijuana company GraniteLeaf Cannabis. He told MEDCAN24, “It’s encouraging to know that this issue has continued to receive strong, bipartisan backing in the House.” The current ATC business structure requirements are not beneficial to patients and do not make sense.
(Disclosure – Simon contributes to MEDCAN24 by making a regular monthly Patreon pledge.
Recent sessions saw similar bills pass both chambers, but were vetoed the governor. In 2019, the House and Senate passed a bill, but an attempt to override the governor’s veto failed by only one vote. The override failed in 2022 by just one vote.
Daniel Innis, a Republican senator from Massachusetts, has indicated his intention to introduce a Senate bill on this issue in 2026.
Meanwhile, a New Hampshire House committee recently discussed plans to move forward with a bill to legalize marijuana altogether–even though members accept that it is unlikely to advance beyond the chamber given opposition in the Senate and the threat of a veto by the governor.
—
MEDCAN24 tracks hundreds of marijuana, psychedelics, and drug policy legislation in state legislatures this year. Patreon members who pledge at least $25/month gain access to interactive maps, charts, and hearing schedules so that they do not miss anything.
Discover more about the marijuana bills tracker. Become a patron on Patreon for access.
—
We know the direction it will take. Rep. Jared Sullivan said, “Let us send a moral signal.” During a House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee meeting last month. They should be those who irritate voters on this issue.
Sullivan ultimately made a persuasive defense of moving forward with his original bill, pointing out that the House has repeatedly passed similar legalization legislation and that the chamber should stand its ground, forcing the Senate and governor to again go on record with their opposition to a policy popular among voters.
Meanwhile, after the House added provisions to a Senate-passed bill that would allow medical marijuana patients to grow cannabis at home, those measures were stripped in conference.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) also said in August that her position on marijuana legalization would not change even if the federal government moved forward with rescheduling the plant—a policy change President Donald Trump is actively considering.
Ayotte stated, “If the federal laws change, I must comply with them.” My position, however, has not changed. I believe that legalizing marijuana is not the right thing to do in the near future.
MEDCAN24 could not exist without readers’ support. Consider a Patreon subscription if our marijuana advocacy journalism is what you use to keep informed.
