Bill Text - HB1278 (2024)

Relative to qualifying medical conditions for purposes of therapeutic cannabis.


Revision: Dec. 6, 2023, 12:39 p.m.

HB 1278-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2024 SESSION

24-2115

05/10

 

HOUSE BILL 1278-FN

 

AN ACT relative to qualifying medical conditions for purposes of therapeutic cannabis.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. W. Thomas, Hills. 12; Rep. Vail, Hills. 6; Rep. Newell, Ches. 4; Rep. A. Murray, Hills. 20; Rep. M. Perez, Hills. 43; Rep. Wheeler, Hills. 33

 

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill adds debilitating or terminal medical conditions to the qualifying medical conditions for therapeutic cannabis if a health care provider certifies the potential benefit to the patient.  The bill also removes certain limitations on a qualifying visiting patient's access to cannabis.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2115

05/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT relative to qualifying medical conditions for purposes of therapeutic cannabis.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  New Subparagraph; Qualifying Medical Conditions for Purposes of Therapeutic Cannabis; Debilitating or Terminal Medical Conditions.  Amend RSA 126-X:1, IX(b) by inserting after subparagraph (6) the following new subparagraph:

(7)  For adults 21 years of age or older, any debilitating or terminal medical condition or symptom for which the potential benefits of using therapeutic cannabis would, in the provider’s clinical opinion, likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patient.  In order to certify a patient under this category, a certifying provider shall include on the written certification the patient’s specific condition or symptom and attest to their clinical opinion.

2  Repeal.  RSA 126-X:2, V(a), relative to limitations for a visiting qualifying patient, is repealed.

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

LBA

24-2115

11/1/23

 

HB 1278-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to qualifying medical conditions for purposes of therapeutic cannabis.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

 

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue Fund(s)

Application and fee revenue under RSA 126-X, relative to the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes

Expenditures

$0

$0

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

Application and fee revenue under RSA 126-X, relative to the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes

Appropriations

$0

$0

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

None

Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] Yes

Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] No

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill changes the definition of "qualifying medical condition" under RSA 126-X, the  state's therapeutic cannabis law, by adding any debilitating or terminal medical condition for which therapeutic cannabis is recommended by a clinical provider.  The Department of Health and Human Services indicates that this change may result in more patients eligible for the therapeutic cannabis program.  To the extent that additional patients apply to the program, there will be an increase in application fee revenue received by the Department.  Though indeterminable, the Department estimates the bill may result in up to 10 percent growth, increasing revenue by up to $70,000 per year.  Under the statutorily mandated self-funding structure of the therapeutic cannabis program in RSA 126-X and the fee structure established in administrative rule, any increase in application fee revenue will result in lower annual registration fees for the alternative treatment centers.  There will be an increase in the number of applications processed by the Department, however it is not expected that the increase will necessitate additional staff.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Health and Human Services