New Hampshire legislation that would allow medical marijuana alternative treatment centers to operate greenhouse cultivation locations has been given approval by the state’s legislature and will soon be sent to Governor Kelly Ayotte.
The House adopted an “ought to pass” motion for Senate Bill 468 by voice vote, moving the measure forward after it previously cleared the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee on April 22. The bill had already passed the Senate in March by voice vote.
SB 468 would allow each alternative treatment center registered under the state’s therapeutic cannabis law to request authorization to operate a greenhouse cultivation location, either at the same site as its existing cultivation operation or at a separate location.
The legislation says the change is intended to reduce energy costs and provide lower prices for registered qualifying patients.
Under the bill, the Department of Health and Human Services would be required to adopt rules allowing alternative treatment centers to apply for authorization to conduct greenhouse cultivation. Those rules would also need to cover the regulation of greenhouse cultivation, including location and security requirements.
An alternative treatment center seeking approval would be required to submit a detailed proposal to the department, including a plan to reduce energy costs and lower product prices for registered patients.
Greenhouse cultivation locations would remain subject to department rules and applicable provisions of state law, including compliance with local zoning laws. The department, working with the local governing body of the town or city where the greenhouse would be located, would also be required to seek input from qualifying patients, designated caregivers and local residents.
Any alternative treatment center operating a greenhouse would need to include information in its annual report on the impact greenhouse cultivation has had on energy costs and product prices. The department would then include that information in its own annual report.
The bill is sponsored by Senator Howard Pearl (R), Senator Donovan Fenton (D), Senator Daniel Innis (R), Senator Tara Reardon (D), Representative Yury Polozov (R), Representative Lucy Weber (D), Representative Mark McLean (R) and Representative Karen Ebel (D).
If enacted, SB 468 would take effect upon passage.
Sponsored
