Committee Summary for Senate Judiciary (01/22/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB479 00:09:14.480 - 12:05:50 PM	Public Hearing	allowing alternative treatment centers to operate for profit.	Innis, Daniel(R)[B]2025
SB468 00:37:30.400 - 12:34:06 PM	Public Hearing	relative to enabling alternative treatment centers to operate a greenhouse cultivation location.	Pearl, Howard (R)[B]2025
SB651 00:59:31.680 - 12:56:07 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025
SB461 01:18:26.400 - 1:15:02 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the definition of hemp.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025

SB479: Senator Dan Innis, District 7, Bradford NH Support00:09:14.480 - 12:05:50 PM; Senator Innis introduces SB479, explaining that allowing ATCs to convert to for-profit status would reduce operating costs by enabling access to lower-cost capital, as nonprofits face higher interest rates from lenders viewing them as higher risk. He notes that ATCs operate like other NH businesses but are hindered in growth, infrastructure investment, and price reduction due to the nonprofit requirement, which offers no federal tax benefits. This structure passes higher costs to patients, similar to issues other states resolved by eliminating nonprofit mandates. The bill would help NH businesses and consumers without altering regulations.
SB479: Kenan Blum, President and CEO, Granite Leaf Cannabis (formerly Prime ATC), Peterborough and Merrimack NH Support00:18:19.360 - 12:14:55 PM; Blum supports SB479, detailing how the nonprofit structure mismatches state and federal laws, preventing access to grants, equity issuance, or secured loans, forcing reliance on high-interest (15%+) unsecured loans or saved revenue. This inflates costs passed to patients, limiting affordability and expansion, such as building a greenhouse under SB468. As a NH-based company serving patients since 2016 with facilities in Peterborough, Chichester, and Merrimack, they prioritize quality and education but struggle to compete with out-of-state recreational markets or black market due to financing barriers. Conversion to for-profit would enable lower-cost financing, reduce inefficiencies, and better serve patients without changing oversight or mission. He affirms financial transparency and sustainability concerns if unchanged.
SB479: Sue Hamola, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) New Hampshire Oppose00:28:11.919 - 12:24:47 PM; Hamola opposes SB479, arguing it undermines the program's original compassionate intent for medical cannabis while flouting federal law on a Schedule I drug. ATCs are not typical businesses but sole-source contractors with state-granted monopolies, warranting audits of their books before any structure change to verify financial necessity. She cautions against changes amid pending federal rescheduling to Schedule III, which could require prescriptions and dosing oversight, potentially upending state programs. For-profit status shifts accountability from the state to investors, eroding program integrity and education focus, preventing NH from leading nationally in a balanced medical marijuana model.
SB479: Nathaniel Gurian, CEO and Founder, Finan (cannabis finance company) Information Only00:32:23.760 - 12:28:59 PM; Gurian provides expertise on cannabis financing, noting the sector's high-risk nature leads to elevated interest rates (15-20%) despite some banks and private lenders offering services. The nonprofit structure adds extra barriers for ATCs, limiting liquidity and increasing costs beyond typical for-profit challenges. Without it, ATCs could potentially secure financing at 9-10%, improving viability for smaller-scale needs compared to larger deals like a $20M acquisition. He emphasizes the ongoing liquidity shortage in the industry.
SB468: Senator Kevin Avard, District 17, Londonderry Support00:37:30.400 - 12:34:06 PM; Senator Avard introduces SB 468, which allows each ATC to operate one greenhouse under strict regulations to reduce energy costs and make therapeutic cannabis more affordable for over 17,000 patients. He highlights affordability issues, risks of unregulated sources, disadvantages of indoor cultivation compared to neighboring states, and safeguards including security and rulemaking for greenhouses. He notes previous similar bills passed but were vetoed, and this version addresses past concerns.
SB468: Sue Hamola, Smart New Hampshire Oppose00:41:20.480 - 12:37:56 PM; Sue Hamola opposes SB 468 due to prior veto over security concerns and the bill passing without finalized security details for greenhouses. She criticizes the input solicitation process, which excludes law enforcement and experts, potentially allowing patient lobbying to pressure towns.
SB468: Bob Rimmel, President, Rimmel Greenhouse Systems, Hooksett Support00:43:32.480 - 12:40:08 PM; Bob Rimmel supports the bill, drawing from experience building cannabis greenhouses nationwide. He describes greenhouses as secure, controlled environments using sunlight, helping NH ATCs compete with lower-cost out-of-state options and offering more varieties.
SB468: Dr. Jerry Kerk, Chair, Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board Support00:46:11.920 - 12:42:47 PM; Dr. Kerk supports SB 468 to reduce indoor cultivation costs via greenhouses, lowering prices for patients. He notes patient complaints about affordability, compares to successful greenhouse farming, and highlights improved rulemaking and security from prior bills. The board voted 7-0 in favor. In Q&A, he discusses patient listening sessions revealing cross-border purchases and risks of unregulated sources.
SB468: Kenan Blum, President and CEO, Granite Leaf Cannabis Support00:52:11.200 - 12:48:47 PM; Kenan Blum supports SB 468 to enable affordable therapeutic cannabis via greenhouses, reducing electricity costs from indoor growing. He emphasizes existing stringent security applying to greenhouses and the mission to serve patients. In Q&A, he confirms no public access without DHHS approval and shares high utility costs ($40,000/month).
SB651: Senator Donovan Fenton, District 10 Support00:59:31.680 - 12:56:07 PM; Senator Fenton introduces SB 651 for responsible adult-use cannabis legalization, noting NH's lag behind neighbors and federal shifts. The bill regulates like alcohol (age 21, testing, no driving high), directs revenue to education, prevention, mental health, public safety, and retirement. In Q&A, he addresses road safety and youth access, emphasizing regulation over prohibition.
SB651: Matt Simon, Granite Leaf Cannabis Support01:05:46.640 - 1:02:22 PM; Matt Simon supports SB 651 for its thoughtful regulation balancing freedom and oversight, building on the therapeutic program without sidelining existing ATCs. He notes integration allows current businesses to serve adult use while adding new regulated operators.
SB651: Sue Hamola, Smart New Hampshire Oppose01:08:11.520 - 1:04:47 PM; Sue Hamola opposes legalization, citing high youth cannabis use disorder in VT, illegal farms in ME, and MA repeal efforts. She references Gallup polls showing declining positive perceptions of marijuana's societal impact.
SB651: Kate Fry, Vice President of Advocacy, New Futures Information Only01:10:52.640 - 1:07:28 PM; Kate Fry from New Futures provides principles-based feedback on SB 651, praising aspects like youth protection but recommending amendments for THC limits in statute, smaller serving sizes, social justice reinvestment, public health roles on commissions, and higher uncapped funding for prevention/treatment. She notes evolution to non-opposition if principles met.
SB461: Senator Donovan Fenton, District 10 Support01:18:26.400 - 1:15:02 PM; Senator Fenton introduces SB 461 to include all THC variants (e.g., THCA) in total THC concentration, aligning with federal changes and closing loopholes allowing unregulated high-THC hemp products mislabeled as legal. He advocates responsible regulation to protect public health until full legalization.
SB461: Matt Simon, Granite Leaf Cannabis Support01:22:23.520 - 1:18:59 PM; Matt Simon supports SB 461 to close the THCA loophole in hemp, explaining how products like THCA flower and concentrates function as marijuana without regulation. He shows examples of high-THC hemp products sold in NH and notes federal updates, emphasizing clarity in NH law.
SB461: Sue Hamola, Smart New Hampshire Support01:28:19.920 - 1:24:55 PM; Sue Hamola supports adding THCA to hemp definition but recommends mirroring thorough federal language from 2025 legislation and correcting a spelling error in the bill.
SB461: Kate Fry, New Futures Support01:29:19.120 - 1:25:55 PM; Kate Fry supports SB 461 as a step to fortify bans on intoxicating hemp, closing definitional loopholes for potent THC forms. She notes it's part of a campaign addressing industry gaps in marketing to youth.
SB461: Danielle Ellson, Deputy Chief, New Hampshire Liquor Enforcement Support01:30:53.440 - 1:27:29 PM; Danielle Ellson supports the bill's definition, which will help narrow unregulated products seen in convenience stores, aiding ongoing enforcement efforts.

Gannon, Bill(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Abbas, Daryl(V Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Carson, Sharon(R)[B]2025
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025