Thursday , March 28 2024
Home / New Hampshire Marijuana News / New Hampshire Still Seeing Conflicting Views on Medical Marijuana

New Hampshire Still Seeing Conflicting Views on Medical Marijuana

New Hampshire Cannabis

In 2016, there were 488 overdose deaths in New Hampshire. This is up from 177 in 2010. Many hope that the recently-enacted medical marijuana program will help drastically reduce the rate of overdose deaths in the state.

One medical marijuana patient and advocate for the state’s council, Richard Vincent, who has multiple sclerosis, says that medical marijuana has helped him stop using one prescription medication, according to New Hampshire Magazine.

Vincent believes that the program is a start, but its strict qualification process is preventing patients from being able to give medical marijuana a try. He said that, “People are still suffering.”

Doctors in the state certify a patient as having a qualifying condition that is determined by the state. Doctors do not prescribe actual doses. Doctors must also verify that they have seen and treated the patient for at least 3 months.

Dr. Douglas Dreffer, MD, said, “Many doctors feel it’s akin to prescribing.”

Medical marijuana is a mind-altering drug. It is not covered by health insurance. Doctors do not recommend specific strains or products for patients.

In regards to the abundance of scientific evidence that medical marijuana is effective in treating dozens of medical conditions, Dr. Dreffer still wants to see more evidence.

Dr. Dreffer said, “There seems to be good evidence around [its use for] muscle spasms and multiple sclerosis. There’s some evidence of its use for anorexia from cancer or HIV/AIDS. [But] for most of us, the evidence around use for other conditions is lacking.”

Regarding opioid overdose deaths in the state, Dreffer believes that marijuana has the potential to help reduce or end the drug overdose death rate in New Hampshire. He stated that the lack of studies available, and lack of ability to conduct studies, makes that information statistically unavailable.

He said, “It just hasn’t been proven yet. I think most pope will agree that our chronic pain management processes aren’t effective. We all would like to find something that is effective and reproducible and safe.”

In regards to medical marijuana helping with personal health struggles, Vincent said, “This is not a Woodstock reunion. [Cannabis] is helping people. I know a lot of people are saying they’re not quite sure that it does, but take it from me, it works.”