• Basics of the New Mexico Law

New Mexico passed a law to legalize cannabis as medicine in 2007 through Senate Bill 523. The law allows qualifying patients to possess 6 ounces of marijuana and cultivate 4 mature and 12 immature plants. NM residents who wish to obtain cannabis for medical use must submit a “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Patient Application” that includes a Medical Certification from a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who is licensed in the "Sunshine State" verifying that he or she suffers from one or more qualifying medical conditions. Currently you cannot use medical marijuana ID cards from other states to obtain New Mexico cannabis.

  • Patients

Patients applying for a marijuana medical card are not required to pay an initial or annual application fee. Minors also require a medical certification from a health care practitioner verifying that he or she suffers from a qualifying medical condition and the risks and benefits of using cannabis have been explained.

Patients applying for a medical marijuana card are not required to pay an initial or annual application fee.

  • Caregivers

Any patient who needs assistance with obtaining or administering medical cannabis can designate a caregiver who must also apply. A parent or legal guardian must serve as the primary caregiver for a patient who is a minor. Caregivers are not required to pay an initial or annual application fee.

  • Physicians

Physicians who are interested in making recommendations for marijuana treatment in NM must possess a current and unrestricted state medical license, Drug Enforcement Agency number, and New Mexico Controlled Substances license. They must also perform an in-person medical evaluation. There is no special training that is required before a physician can recommend marijuana.

  • Qualifying Medical Conditions

In-order-to qualify as a cannabis patient in the state of New Mexico a resident must suffer from one or more qualifying medical conditions. These conditions include cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, hepatitis C, Huntington’s disease, inflammatory autoimmune-mediated arthritis, inclusion body myositis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, spasmodic torticollis, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, painful peripheral neuropathy, cachexia or severe weight loss, severe or chronic pain, seizures, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intractable nausea or vomiting, and severe or chronic pain. If you need more information about the law or licensing process visit the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program website.