Matt Simon, Author at Prime Alternative Treatment Centers

Home Grow Advances!

Posted on March 9, 2023March 10, 2023 by Matt SimonLeave a Comment

Great news: yesterday, a N.H. House Committee voted to approve the therapeutic cannabis home cultivation bill in a nearly unanimous vote! The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs voted 19-1 to advance HB 431. Next, we expect it will pass the House with little or no opposition.

We will be sure to let you know when a public hearing is scheduled for this bill in the state Senate. This will likely be sometime in April.

Legalization Hearing Scheduled

In other news, a second House committee has scheduled a hearing on the adult-use legalization bill that passed the House in February. On Monday morning (3/13) at 9am, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 639. Unlike the previous committee, this committee will focus primarily on the bill’s fiscal impacts: the tax structure, fees, and spending.

As amended by the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee, HB 639 would authorize the N.H. Liquor Commission to regulate adult-use cannabis. Unlike last year’s HB 1598, this bill envisions sales being conducted by private retailers, not state-run stores. A 15% tax would be levied on cultivators. You can read a summary of the amended bill here.

Prime ATC strongly preferred the original bill, which included home cultivation and automatic annulment of criminal records for past cannabis offenses. As introduced, HB 639 would have created a stand-alone Cannabis Commission, with oversight from an independent Advisory Board.

Although we preferred the original version, the amended bill still includes important provisions to ensure patients aren’t left behind. We believe HB 639, as amended, gives ATCs a reasonable path forward and does not seriously threaten the viability of the Therapeutic Cannabis Program.

After the committee completes its work, the bill will likely pass the House and proceed to the Senate, where its fate remains unclear. We will continue working to educate legislators and seek improvements as the process continues.

Tell Legislators What You Think

If you’d like to share your opinions on HB 639 with the Ways and Means Committee using the House’s remote testimony form, follow these simple steps:

Enter your name and address
Select the hearing date (3/13)
Select “Ways and Means” as the committee and select HB 639 as the bill number, then indicate whether you support or oppose the bill
(Optional) Type your comments into the box or upload your written testimony
Submit the form

Thank you for your interest in improving N.H. cannabis policies! We will continue to share important updates as these bills move forward.

Three Cannabis Bills Advance

Posted on February 20, 2023February 22, 2023 by Matt Simon2 Comments

Last week, committees in the New Hampshire House of Representatives approved three bills dealing with cannabis policy. Two of the bills would make modest but important improvements to the Therapeutic Cannabis law, and the other bill would legalize and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older. All three bills are expected to pass the full House this week (see below for an update).

Here are more details on the three bills:

HB 610 passed the House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee in a 20-0 vote. This bill would allow therapeutic cannabis certifications by any New Hampshire medical provider who is licensed to prescribe drugs to humans and possesses an active DEA registration. Many patients report that they have difficulty finding a provider who is knowledgeable about therapeutic cannabis. This bill would help by allowing a broader range of providers, including naturopathic doctors, to certify patients. The bill would also allow family practice providers who provide pediatric care to certify minor patients. Currently, two certifications are required for minor patients and one must be from a pediatrician, but this is problematic because many children are served by family practice providers rather than pediatricians.

HB 611 also passed the House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee in a 20-0 vote. This bill would make it easier for patients to be certified with a “severe pain” diagnosis. If it passes, the current requirements that patients have “not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures” or that they have experienced “serious side effects” from other treatment options would be deleted. This is important because patients should not have to try opioids or surgeries before being certified for therapeutic cannabis.

HB 639 was amended by the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee, which approved it in a 17-3 vote. As amended, the bill would legalize cannabis possession for adults 21 and older and authorize the Liquor Commission to regulate production and sales by private retailers. The bill no longer includes home cultivation, which is still part of another bill (HB 344). Here’s a summary of HB 639, as it currently stands. Although we are unhappy with some of the changes, we are pleased to report that the bill still prioritizes the needs of patients and does not threaten the ongoing viability of the Therapeutic Cannabis Program. We will continue to advocate for sensible improvements as the bill advances.

Several other bills are still pending in House committees. These include HB 82 (employment protections for registered patients), HB 431 (home cultivation for registered patients and caregivers), and HB 344 (home cultivation for adults). The House will vote on all these bills eventually, but not this week.

Thanks to all who have contacted representatives about cannabis policy. We will continue to share updates as they become available!

UPDATE: These bills all passed the House on February 22. HB 610 and HB 611 passed in voice votes. HB 639 passed 234-127 and will proceed to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.

Home Cultivation Bill Scheduled!

Posted on February 2, 2023February 2, 2023 by Matt SimonLeave a Comment

So far, most of the talk about cannabis policy in 2023 has centered on adult-use legalization bills. That will change next Thursday afternoon when three therapeutic cannabis bills receive public hearings in a House committee. Prime ATC believes all three of these bills are worthy of support. We expect many patients will be particularly excited about HB 431, which would make limited home cultivation legal for registered patients and caregivers.

The three bills will be considered on Thursday, February 9, by the House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs. If you feel strongly about any of these bills, you are welcome to testify in person. You can also submit written testimony using the House’s Remote Testimony Submission Form. Alternately, you can email your thoughts to the committee using this address: HHSEA@leg.state.nh.us.

The public hearings will take place in the Legislative Office Building, Room 201-203. Here are more details on the three bills:

HB 611 (1pm) would delete the requirement that patients must have “not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures” or that they must have experienced “serious side effects” from other treatment options before they can be certified with “severe pain” as a qualifying symptom. It makes no sense that patients should have to try opioids or surgeries before being certified for therapeutic cannabis. Prime ATC supports HB 611.

HB 610 (1:30pm) would authorize any New Hampshire medical provider who is licensed to prescribe drugs to humans and who possesses an active DEA registration to certify patients for the Therapeutic Cannabis Program. Many patients report that they have difficulty finding a provider who is knowledgeable about therapeutic cannabis. This would help by allowing a broader range of providers, including naturopathic doctors, to certify patients. The bill would also allow family practice providers who provide pediatric care to certify minor patients. Currently, two certifications are required for minor patients and one must be from a pediatrician, but this is problematic because many children are served by family practice providers rather than pediatricians. Prime ATC supports HB 610.

HB 431 (2pm) would allow limited home cultivation for registered patients and caregivers. The possession limit would be three mature plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings per patient. Prime ATC supports HB 431.

IMPORTANT: This committee has supported home cultivation bills many times in the past. If you testify or communicate with the committee, please keep this in mind and be courteous and respectful.

If you’d like to share your opinions on any or all of these bills using the House’s remote testimony form, follow these simple steps:

Enter your name and address.
Select the hearing date (2/9).
Select “Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs” as the committee and select the bill number, then indicate whether you support or oppose the bill.
(Optional) Type your comments into the box or upload your written testimony.
Submit the form.

If you’d like, you can also write or call your own representatives directly (look them up here).

Thank you for taking time to learn more about bills that would impact the Therapeutic Cannabis Program! We will continue to share regular updates.

Legalization Hearings Scheduled

Posted on January 21, 2023January 24, 2023 by Matt Simon3 Comments

Cannabis legalization has emerged as a hot topic of discussion at the N.H. State House in 2023, but how would legalization impact patients if it passes? This is an important question, and the answer depends entirely on the details. There are actually five different bills in the New Hampshire House that would legalize adult-use cannabis, and each takes a different approach to policy. All five bills are scheduled for public committee hearings next Wednesday and Thursday.

If you’d like to weigh in on any or all of these bills, the easiest way to do so is to use the House’s remote testimony form. You can use this form to indicate whether you support or oppose a bill, and you can (optionally) submit written comments or testimony for the committee. Members of the public are also welcome to attend the hearings and testify in person. If you choose to testify or submit written comments, we ask that you please be courteous and respectful.

Two legalization bills are scheduled for back-to-back hearings on Wednesday afternoon, January 25, in the House Committee on Commerce and Consumer Affairs:

HB 639 (Osborne) – this bill would legalize home cultivation (6 plants, of which 3 could be mature) for adults 21 and older. It would also authorize a new, stand-alone Cannabis Commission to regulate production and sales, with oversight from an independent advisory board. Sales to adults would be subjected to the 8.5% Meals and Rooms Tax. The bill was drafted by a broad coalition of organizations and based on lessons learned from other states.

Prime ATC contributed to the process of drafting HB 639, and we believe it is the most thoughtful and comprehensive approach to cannabis legalization that has ever been considered in New Hampshire. The bill provides for a slow, deliberate transition of the Therapeutic Cannabis Program from D.H.H.S to the new Cannabis Commission, and it prioritizes the ongoing needs of patients. A summary of the bill is available here, and the full text is available here.

This public hearing is scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Legislative Office Building (behind the State House), Rooms 302-204.

HB 544 (Eaton) – this bill would authorize the Liquor Commission to regulate cannabis and administer sales to adults and patients. Home cultivation would remain prohibited. 50% of revenue would be distributed to cities and towns, and 50% would go to the general fund.

Prime ATC does not support this bill, in part because we believe it presents a serious threat to the Therapeutic Cannabis Program. The full text is available here. The public hearing will take place immediately following the hearing on HB 639 in the Legislative Office Building, Rooms 302-204.

If you’d like to share your opinions on one or both of these bills using the House’s remote testimony form, follow these simple steps:

Enter your name and address
Select the hearing date (1/25)
Select “Commerce and Consumer Affairs” as the committee and select HB 639 or HB 544 as the bill number, then indicate whether you support or oppose the bill
(Optional) Type your comments into the box or upload your written testimony
Submit the form

Thursday Hearings

Three additional legalization bills are scheduled for hearings on Thursday, January 26, in the House Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. These hearings will take place in Representatives’ Hall at the State House:

HB 643 (Damon) – this bill would authorize the Liquor Commission to regulate cannabis and administer sales to adults and patients. Home cultivation would remain prohibited. 50% of revenue would go to the education trust fund, and 50% would go to D.H.H.S. to develop programs for increased mental health services. Prime ATC does not support this bill for the same reasons we do not support HB 544. The full text is available here. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

HB 360 (Verville) – this bill would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older with no limits. It would not establish a regulated market. Prime ATC is not taking a position on HB 360, and we do not expect it to advance. The full text is available here. The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

HB 344 (McGuire) – this bill would legalize home cultivation (6 plants, of which 3 could be mature) for adults 21 and older. It would not establish a regulated market. Prime ATC supports HB 344. The full text is available here. The hearing is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.

Again, it is easy to share your opinions on these bills with the relevant committee using the House’s remote testimony form, as described above. If you’d like, you can also write or call your own representatives directly (look them up here).

We will update you on bills impacting the therapeutic cannabis program in a subsequent blog post. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!

Therapeutic Cannabis in the Legislature

Posted on January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 by Matt Simon2 Comments

The 2023 legislative session has begun in Concord, and five bills dealing with therapeutic cannabis have already been introduced. So far, only one bill has been scheduled for a public hearing, so we will begin with HB 82.

Sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Vail, this bill seeks to establish employment protections for patients who are registered with the N.H. Therapeutic Cannabis Program. Specifically, it requires that “No employer shall deny employment to or terminate the employment of an individual solely because the individual is a qualified patient” and tests positive for cannabis.

There would be an exception for jobs “where drug screening tests are required for the safety of persons and property at the job site.” And employers would not be required to tolerate their employees “being impaired by cannabis products while at work.”

You can read the full text of HB 82 here:

This bill will be considered by the House Committee on Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services. The committee has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, January 19, at 2:30 p.m. Members of the public are welcome to testify at the hearing. Alternately, you can email the committee members yourself and share your thoughts on HB 82.

In addition to HB 82, the House will soon consider several other bills relating to therapeutic and adult-use cannabis. We look forward to sharing more details with you in the near future!

Voter Guide Published!

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Matt SimonLeave a Comment

Now that cannabis retail stores have opened in Vermont, many Granite Staters are asking “when will New Hampshire legalize?” It’s impossible to answer this question with certainty, but we know the upcoming election will have a huge impact on the odds.

The word “cannabis” will not appear on New Hampshire ballots in November. However, the individuals who are elected to the state legislature will determine the future of cannabis policy in our state. Since the 400-member House has already passed several legalization bills, more attention will be focused on candidates for the 24-member Senate.

At Prime ATC, we have no interest in telling you who to vote for, but we do encourage you to become an informed voter. Fortunately, the Marijuana Policy Project has published a detailed voter guide that makes it easy to do so. The voter guide focuses on races for state Senate and governor, and it includes candidates’ past votes, survey responses, and public statements.

If you’re a voter, we suggest that you take time to find out where candidates on your ballot stand on cannabis policy. If you decide a candidate is worthy of your support, that’s great! Candidates are always happy to receive positive messages from voters.

On the other hand, if you learn that a candidate does not share your views on cannabis policy, you may want to send them a message. The voter guide includes links to candidates’ websites and social media accounts, so you can reach out if you’d like to ask that they consider your perspective.

We hope you find this information helpful!

Screenshot of tweet from Marijuana Policy Project. "NH is the only state in New England that hasn't legalized and regulated cannabis for adults. That could finally change in 2023. Check out MPP's New Hampshire voter guide, which includes background on state Senate and gubernatorial candidates."

Click here to visit the voter guide.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s!

Posted on September 1, 2022September 1, 2022 by Matt SimonLeave a Comment

For our September community outreach project, Prime ATC will be participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, September 24 in Manchester.

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s^® is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Prime will be fielding a team of walkers for the event. If you’d like to join us for the walk or make a donation on behalf of our team, we would greatly appreciate it!

It’s easy to support our team, and we’re happy to provide an incentive for donating in person. Contribute $5 cash when you visit either Prime dispensary between 9/1 and 9/22 and you will instantly receive $5 off your order!

We are proud to support the Alzheimer’s Association as it “leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.”

Please help us support this worthy cause! Visit our menu if you’d like to place an order.

(Cash donations only. Donation must be made prior to purchase. Limit of one $5 off award per day and 4 awards total between 9/1 and 9/22.)

Legalization Bills Defeated

Posted on April 30, 2022 by Matt SimonLeave a Comment

The New Hampshire Senate has killed two cannabis legalization bills, eliminating any hope for legalization efforts in 2022. On Thursday, April 28, the Senate rejected HB 629 in a 9-15 vote. This bill would have legalized possession and limited home cultivation. If you’d like to see how your senator voted, the roll call vote is available here.

The Senate also killed the state monopoly bill (HB 1598) in a voice vote. Here is an article with more details on these two Senate votes.

The death of HB 629 is disappointing but not surprising. For legalization supporters, the only silver lining is the fact that senators will face re-election this year. When election season arrives, we will share information about where senators and candidates stand on cannabis policy so voters will be informed.

April Sale, Week 4

Posted on April 25, 2022April 25, 2022 by Matt Simon1 Comment

For the final week of our April Sale, vape cartridges are the featured item. All cartridges are buy five, get one free! Check out the flyer below for more details.

This sale will be in effect from Monday, April 25, to Saturday, April 30 (while supplies last).

Click here to visit our menu if you’d like to place an order!

Also, don’t forget that all Rough Cut Flower, rosin, and accessories are 20% off until 4/30!

State Monopoly Cannabis Bill Rejected

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Matt SimonLeave a Comment

It now appears certain that the state monopoly cannabis legalization bill will not pass in 2022. On Wednesday, April 20, the N.H. Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously voted against HB 1598. The bill will still receive a vote in the full Senate, but it is very unlikely to pass in light of this rejection by the committee.

If you’d like to read more about the Senate vote on HB 1598, check out this article.

In other news, the Senate postponed a vote that had been scheduled for another cannabis legalization bill. HB 629 was supposed to receive a vote on Thursday, April 21, after being approved in a 3-2 vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The vote on this bill, which would simply legalize possession and limited home cultivation, will be rescheduled for another day.

If you haven’t already contacted your senator about HB 629, please look them up here and ask them to vote in favor!

Author: Matt Simon