How to Qualify and Register for Therapeutic Cannabis in NH
The following information applies only to New Hampshire residents who wish to qualify for therapeutic cannabis.
If you are a New Hampshire resident, you may register for the Therapeutic Cannabis Program if a medical provider certifies that you qualify based on your medical condition or symptoms. Medical providers must be licensed in New Hampshire or a neighboring state in order to certify patients. The following types of providers are authorized to issue certifications:
- Physicians
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
- Physician Assistants
- Dentists (NH only)
- Optometrists (NH only)
- Podiatrists (NH only)
- Naturopathic Doctors (NH only)
Here are the application forms you will need to start the registration process.
If you do not have a primary care provider, or if your provider is unwilling or unable to sign certifications, but you wish to qualify and register for NH Therapeutic Cannabis you will need to establish a relationship with a new medical provider. If you experience difficulties, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] – we maintain a list of medical providers who are willing to certify qualified patients, and we would be happy to share it with you upon request.
A provider may certify a patient for a Stand-Alone Medical Condition OR a combination of a Qualifying Diagnosis and a Qualifying Symptom. A N.H. provider may also certify a patient for any debilitating or terminal medical condition or symptom if they believe the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks.
The list of qualifying medical conditions for the therapeutic use of cannabis is established in NH law at RSA 126-X:1, IX
Stand-Alone Medical Conditions that Qualify for NH Therapeutic Cannabis
- Autism spectrum disorder (age 21 and older)
- Autism spectrum disorder (under age 21*) *(requires a consultation with a certified provider of child and/or adolescent psychiatry, developmental pediatrics, or pediatric neurology, who (1) confirms that the autism spectrum disorder has not responded to previously prescribed medication or that other treatment options produced serious side effects and (2) supports certification for the use of therapeutic cannabis)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Moderate or severe post-traumatic stress disorder
- Moderate to severe chronic pain
- Opioid use disorder with associated symptoms of cravings and/or withdrawal (requires a provider who is actively treating the patient for opioid use disorder and is board-certified in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry)
- Severe pain
—OR—
Combination of a Qualifying Diagnosis AND a Qualifying Symptom
Qualifying Diagnoses
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Cancer
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- One or more injuries or conditions that has resulted in one or more qualifying symptoms
- Parkinson’s disease
- Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus
- Spinal cord injury or disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Ulcerative colitis
Qualifying Symptoms
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia
- Chemotherapy-induced anorexia
- Constant or severe nausea
- Elevated intraocular pressure
- Moderate to severe insomnia
- Moderate to severe vomiting
- Seizures
- Severe pain
- Severe, persistent muscle spasms
- Wasting syndrome
