New Mexico legalized the medical use of cannabis back in 2007. A law passed in 1978 also allowed for the medical use of marijuana, but only through a research program approved by the federal government. This was the first medical marijuana law passed by any state. On June 29, 2021, cannabis will become legal for recreational use for holders of the cannabis medical card in New Mexico, following the signing of a legalization bill by the state’s governor.
Marijuana in New Mexico
If you have a qualifying medical condition, you can legally use medical cannabis in New Mexico. A new law signed by the governor in April 2021 decriminalized recreational or adult use of cannabis. Therefore, adults aged 21 years and above can possess up to 56 grams or two ounces of flower, 800 milligrams of edibles outside their home, and 16 grams of concentrate. They can also have an unspecified amount of edibles at home in a locked, hidden container.
The state’s medical marijuana program offers patients with certain qualifying conditions much-needed relief. New Mexico is quite diligent when it comes to keeping data on patients enrolled in the program. This includes reporting any changes in active patients and condition counts. The Cannabis Control Division will help with regulations and licensing for both medical and recreational cannabis. However, the New Mexico Department of Health will continue to maintain the patient registry.
How to get the Cannabis Medical Card in New Mexico
Book a Doctor’s Appointment
The first thing you need to do is book an appointment with a licensed medical marijuana doctor in the state. Fortunately, you can do so from the comfort of your home, thanks to online services. You will need to provide your basic medical history and provide the relevant medical records.
If you are suffering from a qualifying condition, the doctor will approve you for a cannabis medical card in New Mexico. There are dozens of qualifying conditions that make patients eligible for the medical marijuana program in New Mexico. Some of these include:
- Chronic pain.
- Cancer.
- Alzheimer’s disease.
- Crohn’s disease.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Epilepsy.
- ALS.
- Glaucoma.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Intractable nausea/vomiting.
- Hepatitis C.
- Huntington’s disease.
Consult with a Medical Marijuana Doctor
The doctor will not need more than 20 minutes to evaluate your condition. During the consultation, you can ask any question you might have about this form of treatment. If the doctor approves you for a cannabis medical card in New Mexico, he/she will then need to fill out a recommendation form. You need to have the doctor’s actual signature on the second page of your application. You can then apply to the state for a medical cannabis card.
Get Your Approval
The state will process your application and mail you the card upon approval. You need to include a clear copy of your ID or current driver’s license, in addition to the clinical note from your doctor concerning your qualifying medical condition. As part of the application, however, you need to include the original signature page rather than photocopies.
According to New Mexico’s governor, cannabis reform is one way to create jobs and increase the state’s revenues. During the 2020 Democratic Party primary, voters in NM ousted opponents of cannabis legalization from the state Senate, paving the way for the decriminalization of adult-use marijuana.
Sources:
https://www.veriheal.com/new-mexico/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-mexico-legal-recreational-pot_n_607469cee4b0c9bd13f12b20
@TechmashUK #TechmashUK
