New Hampshire Expands Qualifying Conditions for Medical Cannabis

New Hampshire is the newest state to alter its current medical cannabis law, and has effectively approved new qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. Governor Chris Sununu signed House Bill 160, which adds both chronic pain and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to the list of conditions that qualify for medical cannabis.

The expansion was in part thanks to the owners of the state’s four dispensaries. The businesses had a slow start when they opened last year but in total, they collected an estimated $740,000 in sales during the first few months of operation. Unfortunately, the business ended up spending more than the $10 million to open up in the first place.

According to a 2016 report issued by the state’s Health Department, the state reviewed the facts and recorded recommendations from those business owners. The most popular recommendations were regarding a faster patient certification process, an increase or decrease in plant counts, the allowance of dispensaries to transport cannabis from the cultivation sites to storefronts and most importantly, to increase the number of qualifying conditions. So far, chronic pain and PTSD are the only conditions that have been approved.

Outside of the state, many people in the entire country suffer from ailments such as PTSD. In fact, the Eagle Tribune estimates that 30 percent of soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War and 20 percent of those who participated in the Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom suffer from PTSD. Currently , the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) still does not recognize controlled studies involving the effective of medical cannabis for PTSD treatments. “Marijuana use by individuals with PTSD may result in short-term reduction of PTSD symptoms,” the VA states on its website. “However, data suggest that continued use of marijuana among individuals with PTSD may lead to a number of negative consequences, including marijuana tolerance and addiction.”

As of December 2016, there were 2,089 patients registered in New Hampshire. Now, hopefully even more will be able to apply for the program and its newest allowable conditions. The regulations will go into effect on August 27.