HB 1278-FN (2024): relative to qualifying medical conditions for purposes of therapeutic cannabis.

HB 1278-FN (2024)

relative to qualifying medical conditions for purposes of therapeutic cannabis.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Public and Mental Health
• Chapter law: 334

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2024 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 18, 2024, with 78 people signed in online: 74 in support, 3 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee voted unanimously, 20–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 1, 2024 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On February 1, 2024 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 20, 2024, with 22 people signed in online: 21 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 20, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a work session on February 20, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 19–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 7, 2024 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 7, 2024 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 18, 2024. On May 15, 2024 the Senate adopted “Special Order to next week, Without Objection”. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it. On May 22, 2024 the Senate adopted “Special Order to the end of the calendar on 05/23/2024, Without Objection”. On May 23, 2024 the Senate adopted “Special Order to after Judiciary, Without Objection”. A floor amendment (2024-2107s), offered by Sen. Regina Birdsell, was withdrawn. A floor amendment (2024-2147s), offered by Sen. Whitley, was adopted on a voice vote on May 23, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On May 23, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 29, 2024 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-2147s and Requests CofC (Reps. Layon, Doucette, Schapiro, Almy)” on a voice vote. On May 30, 2024 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Regina Birdsell. A committee of conference met on June 4, 2024, June 5, 2024 and June 6, 2024 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. The Senate adopted the conference report (2024-2283c) on a voice vote. On June 13, 2024 the House adopted the conference report (2024-2283c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2024-2365e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 2, 2024, making it Chapter 334 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Wendy Thomas (D - Hills 12) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Suzanne Vail (D - Hills 6)
• Rep. Jodi Newell (D - Ches 4)
• Rep. Alissandra Murray (D - Hills 20)
• Rep. Maria Perez (I - Hills 43)
• Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D - Hills 33)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 18, 2024, 9:30 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 210-211
• February 20, 2024, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• February 20, 2024, 1:00 PM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• February 20, 2024, 1:30 PM: executive session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• April 18, 2024, 1:15 PM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, LOB 101
• June 4, 2024, 1:00 PM: committee of conference, LOB 205-207
• June 5, 2024, 3:00 PM: committee of conference, LOB 206-208
• June 6, 2024, 9:40 AM: committee of conference, LOB 206-208

Votes

• February 1, 2024, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• March 7, 2024, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 23, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-2147s — voice vote, passed
• May 29, 2024, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-2147s and Requests CofC (Reps. Layon, Doucette, Schapiro, Almy) — voice vote, passed
• May 30, 2024, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• June 12, 2024, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 13, 2024, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 126-X:1
• RSA 126-X:2

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 4, page 4
• HC 9, page 16
• SC 15
• SC 19
• SC 20