A New Hampshire legislative committee has given approval to a bill that would greatly expand the number of people eligible to become a medical marijuana patient.
Filed by State Representative Wendy Thomas along with five cosponsors, House Bill 1278 was approved today in a unanimous 20 to 0 vote by the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee.
The proposed law would repeal the state’s list of qualifying medical marijuana conditions and would replace it with a provision stating that “For adults 21 years of age or older, any debilitating or terminal medical condition or symptom for which the potential benefits of using therapeutic cannabis would, in the provider’s clinical opinion, likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patient.”
The measure states that “In order to certify a patient under this category, a certifying provider shall include on the written certification the patient’s specific condition or symptom and attest to their clinical opinion.”
The legislation must be passed through another committee before it can be considered by the full House of Representatives, and then Senate.
New Hampshire legalized medical marijuana in 2013, allowing those with a qualifying condition and a physician recommendation to possess medical marijuana, purchasable via a license dispensary.
The measure would take effect 60 days after its passage.
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