Since its inception 10 years ago, New Hampshire’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program has grown to serve more than 17,000 registered patients. These individuals live with serious conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Yet despite the program’s success, one concern rises above all others: cost.
Therapeutic cannabis is not covered by health insurance, and many patients struggle to afford it out of pocket. When prices are too high, patients are often forced to seek relief elsewhere — either from unregulated sources or from dispensaries in neighboring states. This undermines both patient safety and the integrity of New Hampshire’s program.
For many, cannabis is not optional — it is a safer alternative. Unlike opioids and other pharmaceuticals, cannabis has a significantly lower risk of dependency or overdose while still providing meaningful symptom relief. Ensuring access is not just a policy question — it is a public health issue.
Reasonable people may disagree about cannabis legalization. But reducing unnecessary costs for patients in an already tightly regulated therapeutic program should not be controversial. These are patients managing serious medical conditions, not recreational consumers.
That’s why, during the 2026 legislative session, we worked to pass Senate Bill 468. This bill would allow each of the state’s three licensed Alternative Treatment Centers to operate a single greenhouse under strict regulations. The goal is simple: lower production costs so that patients pay less.
Currently, the centers are limited to indoor cultivation, which is the most expensive way to grow cannabis due to high electricity demands for lighting and climate control. Allowing greenhouse cultivation would enable growers to use natural sunlight, significantly reducing energy costs. These savings can then be passed on to patients.
The New Hampshire Therapeutic Cannabis Program is at a disadvantage compared to neighboring states, all of which allow greenhouse cultivation and benefit from lower prices. Without reform, patients will continue to look elsewhere for more affordable options.
SB 468 maintains strong safeguards. Greenhouses would be subject to strict state oversight, including location requirements, security measures and continuous video monitoring just like existing facilities. Additionally, the centers must demonstrate how energy savings will translate into lower prices before receiving approval, and they must report on those savings annually to ensure accountability.
This is a modest, practical reform. Allowing up to three greenhouses statewide will preserve the program’s integrity while making it more affordable for the patients who rely on it.
At its core, this issue is about fairness. Patients should not be priced out of access to a treatment that improves their quality of life. SB 468 is a sensible step forward — one that puts New Hampshire patients first.
Senator Tara Reardon (D-Concord) represents District 15 and Senator Howard Pearl (R Loudon) represents District 17.