The first dispensary in New Hampshire has opened for business, after more than two years of delays and lawsuits.
Last Friday, Plymouth-based Sanctuary ATC received their registration certificate and were operating just one day later. By 11 a.m on Saturday they already had about a dozen patients waiting for the doors to open. In all, they served 45 people by the end of the day, Sanctuary’s director told New Hampshire Public Radio.
Three more dispensaries are expected this year, with two more run by Temescal Wellness opening in Dover and Lebanon “within the next few weeks,” according to The Daily Chronic‘s report. Prime ATC’s Merrimack location is slated for this summer.
New Hampshire became the 19th state to approve marijuana for medical use after passing House Bill 523 in July, 2013. In an email to supporters, Matt Simon, a New Hampshire resident and New England Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project, said “there were no celebrations in 2013” because they expected a slow implementation process and, of course, red tape. They started issuing medical marijuana ID cards last December.
“Today, now that a dispensary is open and now that over 600 patients have been issued ID cards protecting them from arrest, we believe it is finally time to declare victory!” Simon wrote. “We will, of course, continue pushing for further improvements to the law.”