June 10, 2018
New Hampshire Governor Signs Bill Increasing The Number Of Dispensaries Allowed In The State
Anthony Martinelli
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R) has signed into law legislation that expands the number of medical cannabis dispensaries allowed to operate in the state.
In New Hampshire, the state’s first medical cannabis dispensary opened in April, 2016, with three others opening shortly after. Despite the state having a population of over 1.3 million, New Hampshire’s strict medical cannabis law doesn’t allow for more than these four dispensaries. Senate Bill 388, signed by Governor Sununu last week, allows for up to four additional dispensaries (which is still far from ideal, but a step in the right direction nevertheless).
According to the official text of the measure; “If the department determines that having additional locations for the dispensing of therapeutic cannabis is necessary to adequately and effectively meet the needs of qualifying patients and designated caregivers, the department may authorize the alternative treatment center allowed to operate in the geographic area that includes Carroll, Coos, and Grafton counties, not including the town of Hanover and the city of Lebanon in Grafton county, to establish a second dispensary location within that same geographic area.”
In addition, “the department may authorize the alternative treatment center allowed to operate in the geographic area that includes Cheshire and Sullivan counties and the town of Hanover and the city of Lebanon in Grafton county to establish a second dispensary location within that same geographic area. A second dispensary location shall only be established in a geographic location approved by the department, shall be limited solely to the dispensing of cannabis and educational efforts, and shall not be used for cultivation or other activities relative to the production of cannabis.”
The new law takes effect 60 days after being signed (which happened on June 4).