The New Hampshire Governor signs a new bill, HB 89, to expand the medical cannabis program

New Hampshire is now set to expand the pool of patients eligible for medicinal cannabis thanks to a newly signed bill, HB 89.

This week, Republican Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 89, which goes into effect July 21. Under this new law, doctors may allow patients with moderate or severe insomnia to use medicinal cannabis. In addition to this exciting news, adult and pediatric patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder can in some cases receive medicinal cannabis.

This move to sign HB 89 is in line with recently published data showing that autism spectrum disorders can be safely treated with cannabis with beneficial results. A recent study from Israel looked at the safety and effectiveness of cannabis and how administration of CBD-heavy cannabis oil can help people with autism.

The ratio used was 30 percent CBD and 1.5 percent THC, and the study was carried out on 188 patients, all with autism spectrum disorder. Patients were treated for six months and provided feedback on their experience. Of the participants, 90 percent said their symptoms improved to some extent, e.g. B. Relief from restlessness, seizures and tantrums. Around a third of those surveyed stated that they could also take less other medication because of the CBD.

The authors concluded: “Cannabis for the treatment of patients with autism spectrum disorders appears to be a well-tolerated, safe, and apparently effective option for relieving symptoms, particularly: seizures, tics, depression, restlessness, and tantrums. … [W]We believe that double-blind placebo-controlled studies are critical to better understanding the cannabis effect in ASD patients. “

Another study from Israel specifically looked at how cannabis can help children with autism spectrum disorders, as the study claimed that there was no evidence in this department. “This retrospective study examined the tolerability and effectiveness of cannabidiol-rich cannabis in 60 children with ASD and severe behavioral problems,” the researchers wrote in their abstract.

The researchers looked at children around the age of 11 who were functioning poorly and monitored things like trouble sleeping, irritability, and loss of appetite. While one girl from the study had a psychotic episode that could be linked to THC levels, 61 percent of the patients were very much improved after the study.

HB 89 and beyond

In addition to the new laws relating to medical patients, the Governor also signed Law House Bill 163. This new law ensures that medical pharmacy personnel are properly directed by health officials to provide literature and information on “the risk of cannabis use while.” pregnancy ”. While studies have shown inconsistent results about how cannabis affects pregnancy, New Hampshire doesn’t want to take chances.

“I, Surgeon General VADM Jerome Adams, stress the importance of protecting our nation from the health risks of marijuana use in adolescence and pregnancy,” the surgeon general writes in the bill. “The recent increase in marijuana access and effectiveness, as well as misperceptions about the safety of marijuana, threaten our most precious resource, the youth of our nation.”

“Marijuana is not known to be safe during pregnancy or adolescence. Until the long-term effects are known, it is safest for pregnant women and teenagers not to use marijuana. The human brain evolves from before birth to the mid-20s and is susceptible to the effects of addictive substances. Pregnant women and teenagers – and those who love them – need the facts and resources to support healthy choices. It is important to educate women and youth, as well as family members, school officials, state and local leaders, and health professionals about the risks of marijuana, especially as more states consider legalizing it. “

New Hampshire is hedging its bets when it comes to medical cannabis, but it is also taking steps to ensure more patients have access.