In the nearly two years since medical marijuana dispensaries first opened in New Hampshire, the program has grown significantly, and the list of qualifying conditions is expanding.>> Download the FREE WMUR appKaylee Huckins, 43, said she has had to deal with intense pain from bladder disease. She tried standard medications, but nothing seemed to work, and there's no cure. "Nobody had any answers," she said. "It was like, 'Well, we're at the end of the road. So I guess you're going to have to go to the ER when you're hurting.'" After the New Hampshire Legislature passed medical marijuana and four dispensaries opened in 2016, Huckins had a conversation with her doctor. She said she had never tried cannabis before. "Everybody has that stigma around it, but for me, it is completely life-changing, and I have quality of life back," she said. "The pain is completely decreased to a level that I can somewhat function." Since her first visit to medical marijuana dispensary Sanctuary ATC, she said she hasn't had to deal with emergency room visits or medications. She said her treatment has also helped her anxiety and insomnia. "I have about three cookies every night, and now my body is allowing itself to get about four to six hours of sleep, and I would go days without sleep before," she said. Dr. David Syrek, medical director for Sanctuary ATC, said the dispensary helps patients develop a treatment plan that works for them. "Our motto is start low, go slow for everyone, and we take that very seriously," he said. Sanctuary ATC started with about 30 patients on opening day almost two years ago, Syrek said. Now, it sees more than 1,300. Syrek said staff members work one-on-one to educate and treat those with state-issued cannabis cards. "Through talk and discussion, and the fact that we offer non-psychoactive preparations, that really helps alleviate a lot of trepidations that some of the patients have when they first get here," he said. Statewide, the program has more than doubled, according to health officials. There are now about 5,000 cannabis patients ranging from 5 to 99 years old. Almost 90 percent of qualifying patients say they have reduced their use of prescription medications, officials said. "I know that there's still emerging science around cannabis as an alternative to opioids," said Jake Leon of the Department of Health and Human Services. "I do think it's another interesting data point to contribute to that debate." Last year, the Legislature approved new qualifying conditions, making cannabis available for people with chronic to severe pain, PTSD and pain that doesn't respond to other medications. "We're seeing a lot of patients come in with MS, also Parkinson's disease, in addition to traumatic spinal cord injury," Syrek said. Marijuana possession has been decriminalized in New Hampshire, and last month, the House gave initial approval for legalizing recreational use. But the governor and others said that in the midst of a drug crisis, now is not the time to make that change. Sanctuary ATC said it's ready to accommodate increased demand as the medical cannabis program grows. Huckins said she hopes others can find the peace that she finally did. "I'm not saying it's for everyone," she said. "I'm just saying you should have a choice."