The governor of New Hampshire signed a bill that adds opioid use disorder as a qualifying condition for the state’s medical-marijuana program and also allows out-of-state patients to access dispensaries. HB 605 was one of 30 pieces of legislation that Gov. Chris Sununu (R) approved on Tuesday. Advocates celebrated the move, though they’ve pointed out that there are some restrictions for both residents with opioid use disorder and visiting patients. In order to qualify for medical cannabis for an opioid disorder, a patient must have a recommendation from a board-certified addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry provider who’s “actively treating the patient” for that condition. They must also present with opioid withdrawal symptoms or cravings. For out-of-state patients, they must have qualified for medical marijuana in their jurisdiction and show proof of a valid recommendation. It would be up to the state Department of Health and Human Services to develop rules for dispensaries to verify visiting patients’ eligibility. Also, there’s a provision of the bill stipulating that those visiting the state could not obtain cannabis from a dispensary “more than three times in a 12-month period,” unless they provide a statement from their health provider affirming that they have a condition that qualifies a person for medical marijuana under New Hampshire statute.
Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 08/11/2021 15:00:00