New Law Adds Marijuana To List Of Qualifying Conditions For Medical Marijuana

CONCORD, NH – A new law in New Hampshire will expand the list of conditions that qualify patients for medical marijuana, according to Marijuana Moment.

HB 1349, signed into law on Friday by Gov. Chris Sununu, adds generalized anxiety disorder as a qualifying condition for therapeutic cannabis. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Heath Howard, takes effect 60 days after it was passed.

It had bipartisan co-sponsors and was supported by the state’s Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board. At the time it was up for debate, Howard said the bill would build on the “tremendous amount of success in especially veterans and their treatment of PTSD with medical cannabis”. He said marijuana could pose fewer risks than benzodiazepines, “which are pills like Xanax, and they can be highly addictive.”

The new bill was hailed by Matt Simon, director of public and government relations at medical marijuana provider GraniteLeaf Cannabis, who told Marijuana Moment it will give those suffering from anxiety an important new option for treating their condition.

“Many patients report that cannabis is effective in treating their anxiety,” said Simon. “This change will give patients with anxiety disorders a reason to discuss cannabis with their medical providers, and ultimately it will allow more Granite Staters to benefit from therapeutic cannabis.”

Separate legislation that has yet to be transmitted to the governor’s desk, HB 1278, would add to the New Hampshire’s qualifying conditions for medical marijuana “any debilitating or terminal medical condition or symptom for which the potential benefits of using therapeutic cannabis would, in the provider’s clinical opinion, likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patient.”

Gov. Sununu vetoed another measure, HB 1581, which would have made the state’s medical marijuana businesses, known as alternative treatment centers (ATCs), eligible to be considered for a second cultivation location, “which may be a greenhouse.”

Under current law, all cannabis grown under the state’s medical program must be cultivated indoors in secure locations, with semi-outdoor structures prohibited.

The bill “provides scant detail regarding safety, security and location requirements,” said Sununu. “These details are necessary to ensure appropriate controls on a regulated substance.”

Cannabutter Digest has everything you need to stay up to date on the latest trends. From exciting new product reviews, to delicious recipes, we have all the cannabis news you can use!