Expanding Medical Cannabis Access in New Hampshire

The legalisation of marijuana for adult-use is still a distant goal in New Hampshire. However, the state has taken a step towards expanding its current medical marijuana program. Two bills aimed at increasing medical cannabis access have passed New Hampshire’s House of Representatives and are awaiting Governor Chris Sununu’s signature.

HB 1278

Under New Hampshire’s current Therapeutic Cannabis Program, patients with certain qualifying conditions are eligible for medical marijuana. However, HB 1278 proposes that eligible healthcare providers can now certify patients for therapeutic cannabis if they believe it can help manage their debilitating or terminal medical conditions, even if these conditions are not on the existing list of qualifying conditions.

“HB 1278-FN will empower providers to do what they do best: care for Granite Staters,” said Senator Suzanne Prentiss in a Committee on Health and Human Services report. If signed into law, this bill could expand the current Therapeutic Cannabis Program by up to 10 percent, according to estimates from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Increasing Healthcare Professionals’ Ability to Recommend Medical Marijuana

The other bill up for Governor Sununu’s consideration would expand the list of healthcare professionals who can recommend medical marijuana. Currently, only physicians can certify patients, but the new bill adds physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to the list.

Registry ID cards allow patients to buy medication from one of the state’s seven licensed Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs). Each ATC is an independently operated, not-for-profit entity, that cultivates, produces, and dispenses cannabis. Registered patients can possess up to two ounces of cannabis at a time, and they can name up to two caregivers to collect their medication.

It is important to note that there are no provisions in New Hampshire’s medical marijuana program for patients or caregivers to cultivate cannabis themselves. All medication must come from an ATC.

Conclusion

Although the legalisation of adult-use marijuana remains unlikely in New Hampshire, the state is making strides towards broadening its medical cannabis program. The bills awaiting Governor Sununu’s approval would increase the number of healthcare professionals who can recommend medical marijuana and expand the list of qualifying conditions. As the state’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program grows, more patients are expected to have access to medical marijuana to help manage their debilitating medical conditions.

Originally Post From https://hempgazette.com/news/new-hampshire-medical-cannabis-hg2237/

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