344:1 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Definitions. Amend RSA 126-X:1, VIII to read as follows:

VIII. "Provider-patient relationship" means at least a 3-month medical relationship between a licensed provider and a patient that includes an in-person exam, a history, a diagnosis, and a treatment plan appropriate for the licensee's medical specialty.

344:2 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Definitions. Amend RSA 126-X:1, XVII to read as follows:

XVII. "Written certification" means documentation of a qualifying medical condition by a provider pursuant to rules adopted by the department pursuant to RSA 541-A for the purpose of issuing registry identification cards, after having completed a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a provider-patient relationship of at least 3 months in duration. The 3-month requirement for the provider-patient relationship required in this paragraph shall not apply if the provider issuing the written certification certifies that the onset of the patient's qualifying medical condition occurred within the past {3 months and the certifying provider is primarily responsible for the patient's care related to his or her qualifying medical condition, or if the patient is enrolled in hospice care or is medically eligible for hospice care with a prognosis of 6 months or less but has chosen to seek palliative or curative treatment, or both}. The date of issuance and the patient's qualifying medical condition, symptoms or side effects, the certifying provider's name, medical specialty, and signature shall be specified on the written certification.

344:3 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Departmental Administration; Registry Identification Cards. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 126-X:4, VII(a) to read as follows:

(a) The department shall track the number of qualifying patients who have designated each alternative treatment center and issue a monthly written statement to the alternative treatment center identifying the number of qualifying patients who have designated that alternative treatment center along with the registry identification numbers of each qualifying patient and each qualifying patient's designated caregiver.

344:4 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Departmental Administration; Registry Identification Cards. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 126-X:4, VIII to read as follows:

VIII. In addition to the monthly reports, the department shall also provide written notice to an alternative treatment center which identifies the names and registration identification numbers of a qualifying patient and his or her designated caregiver whenever any of the following events occur:

344:5 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Departmental Administration; Registry Identification Cards. Amend RSA 126-X:4, IX(d) to read as follows:

(d) If a qualifying patient notifies the department of a change in his or her designated caregiver and the prospective designated caregiver meets the requirements of this chapter, the department shall issue the designated caregiver a registry identification card within 50 days of receiving the designated caregiver's application.

344:6 Repeal. The following are repealed:

I. RSA 126-X:4, I(c), relative to a photograph of the applicant's face.

II. RSA 126-X:4, II(b), relative to a photograph of the applicant's face.

III. RSA 126-X:4, IV(f), relative to a photograph of an applicant's face.

344:7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: Enacted in accordance with Part II, Article 44 of N.H. Constitution, without signature of governor, September 19, 2019.

Effective Date: November 18, 2019

344:1 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Definitions. Amend RSA 126-X:1, VIII to read as follows:

VIII. "Provider-patient relationship" means a medical relationship between a licensed provider and a patient that includes an in-person exam, a history, a diagnosis, and a treatment plan appropriate for the licensee's medical specialty.

344:2 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Definitions. Amend RSA 126-X:1, XVII to read as follows:

XVII. "Written certification" means documentation of a qualifying medical condition by a provider pursuant to rules adopted by the department pursuant to RSA 541-A for the purpose of issuing registry identification cards, after having completed a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a provider-patient relationship and the certifying provider is primarily responsible for the patient's care related to his or her qualifying medical condition, or if the patient is enrolled in hospice care or is medically eligible for hospice care with a prognosis of 6 months or less but has chosen to seek palliative or curative treatment, or both}. The date of issuance and the patient's qualifying medical condition, symptoms or side effects, the certifying provider's name, medical specialty, and signature shall be specified on the written certification.

344:3 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Departmental Administration; Registry Identification Cards. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 126-X:4, VII(a) to read as follows:

(a) The department shall track the number of qualifying patients who have designated each alternative treatment center and issue a weekly written statement to the alternative treatment center identifying the number of qualifying patients who have designated that alternative treatment center along with the registry identification numbers of each qualifying patient and each qualifying patient's designated caregiver.

344:4 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Departmental Administration; Registry Identification Cards. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 126-X:4, VIII to read as follows:

VIII. In addition to the weekly reports, the department shall also provide written notice to an alternative treatment center which identifies the names and registration identification numbers of a qualifying patient and his or her designated caregiver whenever any of the following events occur:

344:5 Therapeutic Use of Cannabis; Departmental Administration; Registry Identification Cards. Amend RSA 126-X:4, IX(d) to read as follows:

(d) If a qualifying patient notifies the department of a change in his or her designated caregiver and the prospective designated caregiver meets the requirements of this chapter, the department shall issue the designated caregiver a registry identification card within 20 days of receiving the designated caregiver's application.

344:6 Repeal. The following are repealed:

I. RSA 126-X:4, I(c), relative to a photograph of the applicant's face.

II. RSA 126-X:4, II(b), relative to a photograph of the applicant's face.

III. RSA 126-X:4, IV(f), relative to a photograph of an applicant's face.

344:7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: Enacted in accordance with Part II, Article 44 of N.H. Constitution, without signature of governor, September 19, 2019.

Effective Date: November 18, 2019