Revision: July 12, 2024, 2:30 p.m.
HB 1278-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
13Jun2024... 2283CofC
13Jun2024... 2365EBA
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
13Jun2024... 2283CofC
13Jun2024... 2365EBA 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 RSA 126-X:2, V(a), relative to limitations for a visiting qualifying patient, is repealed.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 Contingency. If HB 1349 of the 2024 regular legislative session becomes law, then RSA 126-X:1, IX(b)(7) as inserted by section 1 of this act shall be renumbered to read as RSA 126-X:1, IX(b)(8). 4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
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
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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