2015 New Hampshire Revised Statutes
Title X - PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 126-X - USE OF CANNABIS FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES
Section 126-X:9 - Therapeutic Use of Cannabis Advisory Council.

    126-X:9 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis Advisory Council. –
    I. There is hereby established a therapeutic use of cannabis advisory council comprised of:
       (a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
       (b) One member of the senate, appointed by the senate president.
       (c) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.
       (d) The commissioner of the department of safety, or designee.
       (e) The attorney general, or designee.
       (f) One physician with experience in therapeutic use of cannabis issues, appointed by the New Hampshire Medical Society.
       (g) One advanced practice registered nurse, appointed by the New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Association.
       (h) One representative of a community hospital, appointed by the governor.
       (i) One representative of the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union.
       (j) One qualifying patient, appointed by the governor.
       (k) One member of the public, who is not a law enforcement officer, employee of a government agency, contractor for a government agency, elected official, or healthcare provider, appointed by the governor.
       (l) One member from a hospital in New Hampshire, appointed by the governor.
       (m) One member from the board of medicine, appointed by the executive director of the board of medicine.
       (n) One member from the board of nursing, appointed by the executive director of the board of nursing.
       (o) A member of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, appointed by the association.
    II. The advisory council shall:
       (a) Assist the department in adopting and revising rules to implement this chapter.
       (b) Collect information, including:
          (1) Satisfaction of qualifying patients with the therapeutic use of cannabis program.
          (2) Any effect the therapeutic use of cannabis law has had on referrals to regulatory boards.
          (3) Best practices in other states that allow the therapeutic use of cannabis.
          (4) The ability of qualifying patients in all areas of the state to obtain timely access to high-quality cannabis.
          (5) Any research studies regarding health effects of cannabis for patients.
          (6) The effectiveness of New Hampshire's therapeutic use of cannabis program.
          (7) Efforts to educate New Hampshire physicians and advanced practice registered nurses about research relating to the therapeutic use of cannabis.
          (8) The effectiveness of alternative treatment centers, individually and collectively, in serving the needs of qualifying patients, including the therapeutic effectiveness of available products, the provision of educational and support services, the reasonableness of their fees, whether they are generating any complaints or security problems, and the sufficiency of the number operating to serve the registered qualifying patients of New Hampshire.
          (9) The sufficiency of the regulatory and security safeguards contained in this chapter and adopted by the department to ensure that access to and use of cannabis cultivated is provided only to persons authorized for such purposes.
          (10) Any illegal distribution or diversion of cannabis cultivated pursuant to this chapter to individuals who are not alternative treatment center agents, qualifying patients, or designated caregivers.
          (11) Any statutory issues related to the certification of qualifying patients including, but not limited to, the definition of qualifying medical conditions, the certification process, and the number and location of providers willing and able to certify qualifying patients.
       (c) Make recommendations to the legislature and the department for any additions or revisions to the department rules or this chapter.
       (d) Five years after the effective date of this chapter, issue a formal opinion on whether the program should be continued or repealed.
    III. The advisory council may meet as often as is necessary to effectuate its goals. The first meeting shall be called by the commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee within 45 days of the effective date of this chapter. At the first meeting, a chairman shall be elected by the members.
    IV. On or before January 1 of each year, the advisory council shall provide a report to the department of health and human services and the health and human services oversight committee established under RSA 126-A:13, the board of medicine and the board of nursing on its findings.

Source. 2013, 242:1. 2014, 98:1, 2, eff. Aug. 10, 2014.