New Hampshire’s Medical Marijuana Program Expands Amid Recreational Market Stalemate
Governor Chris Sununu has signed new laws that will broaden the scope of New Hampshire’s medical cannabis program. The updated regulations will allow patients to access medical marijuana for a wider range of qualifying symptoms, including generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, healthcare providers will be able to prescribe the drug for any debilitating medical condition that could be alleviated by cannabis.
The expansion of the medical program comes as the state remains the only one in the Northeast without a recreational cannabis market. Despite efforts to legalize recreational marijuana, state lawmakers were unable to reach a consensus on the framework for the industry. Governor Sununu had proposed a bill modeled after the state’s liquor store franchise model, but some lawmakers opposed the idea, citing concerns over increased access to the drug for minors and the lack of a roadside sobriety test.
The medical program’s expansion is seen as a positive step by industry leaders, who have been working to adapt to the program’s incremental growth. “As the program has expanded, we’ve grown with it, we’ve expanded what we make, we’ve expanded what we provide as services,” said Keenan Plum, president and CEO of GraniteLeaf, a medical caregiver.
The future of recreational marijuana legalization in New Hampshire may depend on the outcome of the November gubernatorial election. Democratic candidates Joyce Craig, Cide Warmington, and Jonathan Kiper have all expressed support for legalizing cannabis, while Republican candidates Kelly Ayotte and Chuck Morse have opposed the idea.
