CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A judge has cleared the way for a woman with late-stage lung cancer to buy medical marijuana in Maine before dispensaries open in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire didn’t plan to issue identification cards to medical marijuana users until dispensaries open next year, but Linda Horan says she may be dead before then.

The retired telephone worker from Alstead sued the state this month.

State officials argued issuing her an identification card now would undermine New Hampshire’s need to control distribution. But a judge on Tuesday granted Horan’s request and ordered the state to process her application and issue a card if it is approved.

In his ruling, Judge Richard McNamara says Horan will suffer irreparable harm if relief was not granted.