Even though we are unlikely to see marijuana legalized this year, New Hampshire does offer great hope to those looking for marijuana and CBD medication.
We will probably not see marijuana legalized because a bill proposing legalization recently stalled and is likely to expire at the end of the current legislative session.
The hope comes in the form of the New Hampshire’s medical marijuana program which allows patients to access marijuana for debilitating sicknesses.
It also comes in the form of the fact that CBD oil is totally legal in the state and can be accessed by anybody anytime.
In this article, we discuss the laws governing marijuana use in the state of New Hampshire. We also discuss the cultural attitudes towards CBD in New Hampshire. Lastly, we recommend the best places to buy CBD oil in the granite state.
Contents
LAWS ON CBD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA LEGAL STATUS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Recreational marijuana remains illegal in New Hampshire. The possession, trade or use of marijuana for recreational purposes could attract fines ranging from $100 to thousands of dollars. Prison terms could also apply based on the specific circumstances surrounding the case.
Although recreational marijuana remains illegal, the state legislature recently made a step in the right direction by decriminalizing the possession of fewer than 0.75 ounces of marijuana.
They did this by passing House Bill 640 which was consequently signed into law by Gov. Sununu in 2017.
Under this law, possessing such a small amount of marijuana is now just a civil offense and not a criminal offense as it was previously.
A first-time offender attracts a fine of $100. Subsequent offences earn within three years earn the offender a slightly higher but still manageable $300 fine. A fourth offence within the same three year period escalates the charge to a misdemeanor.
Thus, as you can see, there is plenty of leniency for those caught with small amounts of cannabis in New Hampshire.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGAL STATUS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
The use of marijuana for medical reasons is legal in New Hampshire. The law, House Bill 573, was signed in 2013.
The New Hampshire Medical Marijuana Act established the state’s Therapeutic Cannabis program.
Under the program, patients with certain qualifying conditions and symptoms can register for a state-issued marijuana card. The card allows them to buy marijuana from one of the four state-owned pot dispensaries.
Some of the conditions accepted for the program include: Ulcerative Colitis, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, PTSD, Parkinson’s disease, MS, Muscular Dystrophy, HIV, Cancer, AIDS, Hepatitis C, Alzheimer’s Disease, Epilepsy and Lupus.
Apart from being certified by a doctor or advanced nurse as having one of the qualifying conditions, one must also one of the qualifying symptoms. They include seizures, cachexia, muscle spasm, intractable severe pain, nausea, vomiting, high intraocular pressure or anorexia.
Consequently, those who have qualifying conditions but do not exhibit any of the symptoms will not be registered for the program. This kind of restricts the program to a very narrow group of patients.
Furthermore, there are only four state-owned pot dispensaries permitted to sell cannabis in the state.
These factors have pushed patients and other people with minor issues towards CBD oil. This is because it has the same healing properties as marijuana. It is available in many stores and online. It can be gotten without a state marijuana card. And it doesn’t give a “high”.
CBD OIL LEGAL STATUS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Under the Federal Farm Bill of 2014, it is legal for states to cultivate, research and market industrial hemp products.
One of the most popular industrial hemp products is CBD oil.
But there is a condition. The law defines the industrial hemp as having not more than .3 percent THC (the substance that gives a high).
Any CBD oil with more than .3% THC is considered marijuana which remains illegal under federal law.
Thus, not all CBD oils you will find online or in stores are legal. However, most business owners are aware of this distinction and sell legal CBD oils and products.
So whatever you are suffering from be it anxiety, depression, lack of appetite, lack of sleep or any other disease that CBD can handle, just know that you can easily and legally get the oil in New Hampshire.
What’s more interesting about this is that you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for the oil. Competition among the many CBD oil manufacturers and sellers has resulted in low prices for CBD oil and related products.
CULTURAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS CBD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
The residents of New Hampshire don’t mind using CBD oil. There is plenty of awareness in the state as to the difference between CBD oil and marijuana.
Furthermore, the fact that the product is in oil form makes it less likely to draw any stigma as most will not readily associate the oil with marijuana.
BEST PLACES TO BUY CBD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
BEST PLACES TO BUY CBD OIL IN MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Located at 1500 S Willow Street in Manchester, Quintessential Vapors is one of the leading CBD products vendors in the whole of the granite state.
This small cozy shop has got a great selection of authentic CBD products sold at a relatively low price. The customer service is also top-notch, visit them and you will not be disappointed.
Holy Smokes may appear second on this list but it one of the best places to buy CBD in the whole of New Hampshire and the surrounding region. Located at 297 South Willow Street in Manchester, this establishment carries only premium quality CBD products. And don’t for a minute think that you will be put off by the price. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most of their products are moderately priced and discounts are always available for special groups.
Route 28 Lucky Mart located at 202 N St North Reading, MA, just 45 minutes away from Manchester, is also popular with CBD users in the state.
BEST PLACE TO BUY CBD OIL IN AMHERST, NEW HAMPSHIRE
The best place to buy CBD oil in Amherst is Earthward, a decent shop located at 42 State Route 101A Amherst, NH 03031.