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Do you support legislation that allows qualifying patients and registered caregivers to grow medicinal marijuana at home?

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A bill being considered in the 2018 legislative session, HB 1476, would allow patients with medical marijuana identification cards and their caregivers to cultivate their own marijuana.

Current medical marijuana laws

The medical use of marijuana in New Hampshire was authorized in 2013. Legislation at the time included a grow-your-own provision but it was removed from the bill before it became law. Currently, medicinal cannabis is cultivated in state-approved and regulated privately operated facilities.

Allowing patients to grow their own marijuana

HB 1476 would make it legal for qualifying patients or their caregivers to possess up to two mature cannabis plants and twelve seedlings. Plants must be grown in a locked, enclosed space, and these cultivation locations must be reported to the state.

Pros and cons of 'home growing'

Proponents of the measure point out that many medical marijuana patients have conditions that make it difficult for them to travel, making it burdensome to get to their designated treatment center. Others note that purchasing medical marijuana can be very expensive, and is not covered by insurance. Allowing patients to grow the drug could make it more affordable.

Opponents express concern that a proliferation of home-growing operations could increase the chances of theft or misuse of the drug. They also point out that growing marijuana is still illegal under federal law, which could open medical marijuana patients who are cultivating their own cannabis to federal charges. There are also concerns that homegrown cannabis, which is not subject to regulatory checks, might be unsafe.

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