Cannabis is a crop just like any other, and farmers should have the ability to manage it successfully on their own. The state doesn’t need to micromanage or create additional taxes around this crop .”
By Ethan DeWitt New Hampshire Bulletin
Jim Riddle, a New Hampshire farmer, is ready to experiment with cannabis in theory if it becomes legalized by the state.
Riddle has been growing perennial fruit in Minnesota for over 40 years. He moved to Hillsborough in order to be closer to his daughter who has a farm of her own. Riddle has changed direction and now grows hemp indoors in a greenhouse. As a member of the New Hampshire Cannabis Association and a supporter for the legalization of cannabis in the state, Riddle is also a proponent of creating a marijuana-growing industry.
Even for a marijuana advocate like Riddle it is not easy to plant a new crop. He would have to do research on which strains were the easiest to grow and most profitable, as well as the ones that would best match the demands of the state.
It is also necessary to learn new skills: how to dry, cure, package, and harvest cannabis plants.
He said, “You need to do your research and make sure that the product you’re putting out there will be well-received in the market.” “And I am nowhere near ready for this.”
Robert Johnson, the policy director of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation, says that Riddle is not alone. Granite State farmers know about which is the latest push for legalizing cannabis in New Hampshire but few have put their hats into the ring yet.
Johnson, in an interview with the Farm Bureau, said that there was little or no interest among its members. The Farm Bureau had not yet taken a stance on legalization.
Johnson added that he expected those who were interested to be small boutique farms.
It is difficult to answer the questions about whether or how to start growing when the state does not have a legalization law, much less detailed regulations and storage plans that would inform farmers of the best way forward. Riddle and other experts say that these answers are crucial if the state is to create a viable market following legalization. Federal law prohibits the sale of cannabis between states, so any marijuana products that are sold in New Hampshire must also be grown there.
After Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, announced in May that his support for a model of cannabis legalization with state-controlled sales. Legalization advocates claim that if the legislation passed and was signed into law by summer 2024, many farming operations wouldn’t be fully operational before 2025.
The New Hampshire Cannabis Association has released results from a survey this month. It shows that there is a lot of interest in the topic among New Hampshire farmers, even though few speak about it publicly.
The survey revealed that 87 per cent of respondents supported legalization generally, and 78 per cent “expressed an interest” in cultivating cannabis if legalized. Riddle notes that this is a greater percentage of support for legalization than the New Hampshire public. A University of New Hampshire survey in February found 71% of respondents were in favor of it.
Riddle stated, “That was very encouraging.”
The New Hampshire Farm Bureau has around 2,000 members.
While there is a lot of interest among respondents, it appears that many are waiting for more details. The majority of farmers who were surveyed did not support Sununu’s approach, which would have the state control cannabis sales. The respondents were divided: 11 percent supported it, 63 % opposed, and the remaining 26 % were undecided.
Officials from the New Hampshire Liquor Commission have stated that they prefer a “franchise-model” in which the state would sell licenses to storeowners, who could then hire and manage their own staff under strict state guidelines. Some survey respondents, however, warned that this model would still result in a state monopoly where growers have no way to compete with each other for higher profits.
In a written reply to the survey, one farmer wrote: “Cannabis should be managed by farmers on their own. It is just like any other crop.” “The state doesn’t need to micromanage or create additional taxes around this crop.”
The survey respondents supported the proposal that cannabis farmers be allowed to sell their product on-site outside of state-run cannabis stores. This suggestion was made in September by Liquor Commission Chairman Joseph Mollica, during remarks to legislators.
The majority of farmers appeared to also support the legalization of a “home-grow” option, which would allow residents to cultivate their own cannabis plants.
Attracting local farmers is important for New Hampshire cannabis legalization supporters. Tim Egan is the board chair of the New Hampshire Cannabis Association. He says that the association does not want to see major industrial players enter the state, take over the market and squeeze out smaller growers.
Egan suggested that lawmakers take steps to prevent this kind of monopolization as they draft a legalization law. He said that they could limit the number growing licenses that one company can own to reduce consolidation. It could also be possible to create different license tiers based on the size and type of farm. By allowing smaller farms to pay a lower entry fee, they would encourage local farmers.
He said that the discussions within the commission were referring to an entry fee up to $175,000, and he was referring to this. “So, if we’re talking about small farmers in Colebrook or Derry or in western New Hampshire where will they find the capital?”
Riddle believes that the state should invest in educational materials to help farmers interested in taking part. He said that the state should provide educational materials to farmers who are interested in participating.
This includes how to prepare and produce cannabis products for retailers and manufacturers, as well as how to work with the state inspectors.
Riddle, along with other farmers, wants to convince legislators to not just let the market work itself out.
He said: “We really want to make sure that the free enterprise is at the forefront, that New Hampshire’s agriculture community is at the forefront, and that these multi-state businesses are not vertically integrated into just greenhouses.”
Most farmers are still hesitant to speak out on cannabis. Riddle said that even Riddle’s son-in law and daughter are cautious.
He said, “Until it is legal, they won’t really talk to me much about it.”
This article was originally published in New Hampshire Bulletin.
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Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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