Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!

State Senate OKs Medical Marijuana Bill

Ryan Lessard
/
NHPR

The New Hampshire Senate passed a medical marijuana bill 18-6 Thursday after changing a few key elements that were in the original House bill.

The senate changes, made at the behest of Governor Hassan, include the elimination of a “home-grow” option. Republican Senator John Reagan of Deerfield spoke in defense of the committee-amended bill. He was quick to point to the bill’s restrictions and called the list of approved conditions ‘narrow.’

“This law will not make New Hampshire a California, Colorado or Washington state. The restrictions in this bill will help ensure that this is a New Hampshire law to help New Hampshire patients.”

Proponents of a “home-grow” provision argue it would provide the terminally ill with quicker access to the drug. Without it, patients will have to wait about two years for legal access through four, state-licensed treatment centers. Some other changes were made to the list of qualifying conditions such as the removal of post-traumatic stress disorder and the addition of traumatic brain injury.

The bill now goes to the House where lawmakers will either agree to the changes or ask the Senate to negotiate a compromise.

Before becoming a reporter for NHPR, Ryan devoted many months interning with The Exchange team, helping to produce their daily talk show. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in Manchester with a major in Politics and Society and a minor in Communication Arts. While in school, he also interned for a DC-based think tank. His interests include science fiction and international relations. Ryan is a life-long Manchester resident.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.