Medical marijuana is coming to Hanover
… much sooner than you might expect
Over two years ago, New Hampshire legalized marijuana for medical purposes. However, New Hampshire residents were not able to receive medical marijuana cards until this past December, when “a woman with terminal cancer sued the state for access to an identification card.”
Until now, there were no medical marijuana dispensaries in New Hampshire. NH residents have had to drive all the way to Maine if they want to legally gain access to medical marijuana.
Over the past several months, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has approved the construction of three dispensaries to be opened in New Hampshire. Two of the three dispensaries will be launched by a non profit group, Temescal Wellness. Of these two dispensaries one will be located in a large office complex based in Lebanon, NH. It will be a seven minute drive away from Dartmouth.
Just yesterday, Temescal Wellness announced that “we have officially received approval to begin cultivation for our Dover and Lebanon alternative treatment centers.” They went on to provide a link to guide NH residents along the process of obtaining a medical card in NH.
The progress towards providing New Hampshire residents access to medical marijuana could have a drastic impact for student life at Dartmouth. Dartmouth’s Alcohol and Drug Policy makes it clear that “the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students on College property or as any part of a College-sponsored activity is strictly prohibited.”
Moreover, we find that “students certified to use medical marijuana . . . should contact Student Accessibility Services.”
Dartmouth has no clear policy on how to deal with students who have medical marijuana cards. However, there is certainly a possibility for students with medical marijuana cards to be able to legally smoke on campus.