Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jul 2013
Source: Monadnock Ledger-Transcript (NH)
Copyright: 2013 Monadnock Ledger-Transcript (NH)
Contact: http://drupal.ledgertranscript.com/forms/letter-to-the-editor
Website: http://www.ledgertranscript.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5458

MARIJUANA ISSUE ISN'T A DONE DEAL

Legislators have been talking about legalizing marijuana for medical
purposes for some years now, and they've finally passed a bill
permitting it. New Hampshire is the 19th state to do so and will
hopefully benefit from the experiences of other jurisdictions that
have led the way, but there are still some issues and uncertainties
with how exactly the system will work.

The compromise the House and Senate reached eliminates the possibility
of patients growing marijuana themselves, and instead will funnel all
distribution through so-called "alternative treatment centers." And
those centers won't be permitted in residences or near our schools:
Hopefully, this measure - along with the provision that center
locations remain confidential - will cut down on burglaries from what
are to be secure and alarmed sites.

The Legislature has also capped the number of licensed centers at just
four. Designated caregivers approved by the N.H. Department of Health
Human Resource - the governing body that will oversee and regulate the
distribution and use of medical marijuana - will be responsible for
getting marijuana to patients.

The centers will be nonprofits, but it's not altogether clear how the
cost of the therapeutic drug will be regulated so that it's
affordable. Insurance companies don't cover it and won't be expected
to, according to Keith Nyhan, director of consumer services at the
N.H. Department of Insurance. Neither the drug nor the state
administration costs will be borne by taxpayers. Instead, patients
will have to pay for medical marijuana out of pocket.

For people with serious medical conditions - such as cancer, Crohn's
disease and other debilitating or terminal illnesses - seeking relief
through cannabis will have to come up with the money or go without at
a time when they are likely not working or working very little. It
seems the humanitarianism of the legislation will only extend to
persons able to afford the drug. It's an issue that tugs at the
heartstrings.

And while HB 573 specifies that criminal background checks will be
required for designated caregivers involved with medical marijuana
distribution, it's not clear who exactly will step up to the plate to
open an alternative treatment center. The law requires that the board
of directors for a nonprofit treatment center to "include at least one
physician, advance practice registered nurse, or pharmacist licensed
to practice in New Hampshire and at least one patient qualified to
register as a qualifying patient. The majority of board members shall
be New Hampshire residents."

Under the new legislation, a Therapeutic Use of Cannabis Advisory
Council will be responsible for ensuring patients have access to
high-quality cannabis, but just how that will be accomplished is not
spelled out.

 From the point of view of law enforcement, the clear, black and white
prohibition of marijuana is no more. Now when an officer stops a
vehicle and sees the distinctive leafy bud or its accompanying
paraphernalia, things will be a little more complicated.

While for its advocates HB 573 is cause for celebration, it's
important to keep in mind that there's still work to be done to ensure
the parameters for medical marijuana in our state are clear.
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