Medical pot dispensaries in New Hampshire open their business to outsiders (even Canadians!)

Medical cannabis patients visiting New Hampshire from out of state or Canada can now receive the treatment at authorized dispensaries there.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced that starting Wednesday, June 28, the state’s “alternative treatment centers” will be permitted to “dispense therapeutic cannabis to overseas and Canadian visitors who have possession of.” Cannabis is permitted for therapeutic purposes in your state or province.”

“Visiting patients can purchase therapeutic cannabis three times a year from a New Hampshire ATC using their valid state-issued or Canadian therapeutic cannabis ID card. If the out-of-state patient has a documented qualifying condition that is on the New Hampshire list of approved conditions, visiting patients may purchase cannabis from New Hampshire ATCs at the same frequency as qualifying New Hampshire patients,” said the agency in a bulletin published on its website.

“Visiting patients must show their foreign cannabis ID card and a matching photo ID. There is a 2 ounce possession limit per patient and all patients may only purchase 2 ounces of cannabis in any 10 day period. “Visiting patients must comply with all applicable state laws regarding their therapeutic use of cannabis,” the bulletin continues.

New Hampshire legalized medicinal cannabis in 2013 when then-Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan signed a bill into law. At the time, New Hampshire was only the 19th state to legalize the treatment.

“Allowing physicians to serve patients through the use of appropriately regulated and dispensed medical marijuana is New Hampshire state’s compassionate and righteous policy, and this legislation ensures that we address that policy in the proper manner and take action to improve.” take action to prevent abuse. ‘ Hassan, now a US Senator, said in a statement at the time.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 38 states have medical cannabis laws in place today. And New Hampshire expanded its own law, with Hassan signing a bill in 2015 that expanded the list of eligible conditions.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, a patient must be diagnosed with “a distinct medical condition OR a combination of a qualifying diagnosis and qualifying symptom” in order to receive medicinal cannabis treatment.

Patients with the following distinct medical conditions are eligible, according to the department: “Autism Spectrum Disorder (21 years and older); Autism Spectrum Disorder (under 21 years of age) (requires consultation with a certified child and/or adolescent psychiatric, developmental pediatric, or pediatric neurology provider who (1) confirms that the autism spectrum disorder has not responded to previously prescribed medications has or such other treatment options resulted in serious side effects and (2) supports certification for the use of therapeutic cannabis); Moderate or severe post-traumatic stress disorder; Moderate to severe chronic pain; Severe pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medications or surgery, or where other treatment options have caused serious side effects; Opioid use disorder with associated cravings or withdrawal symptoms (requires a provider who is actively treating the patient for an opioid use disorder and has a residency in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry).”

But New Hampshire remains the only New England state that hasn’t legalized adult-use recreational cannabis — though not for lack of trying.

In May, the New Hampshire State Senate voted against a measure legalizing recreational weed after it was passed by the state House of Representatives a month earlier.

The bill was defeated in the state Senate by a vote of 14 to 10.