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Medical Cannabis Program in New Mexico |
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Contributed by Mike Kitts
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 Gov Bill Richardson Gov. Bill Richardson signing a bill into law The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, named after patients Lynn Pierson and Erin Armstrong, allows people who live with certain serious, chronic conditions to use and possess marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. But in a departure from the normal practice in other states, where patients or designated caregivers are allowed to grow their own medicine, the New Mexico law stipulates that only producers licensed by the state Health Department may grow medical marijuana.
Medical Cannabis Program in New Mexico. The
Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act in New Mexico is to-date one
of the most regulated state medical marijuana laws passed in the United States. The regulations will ensure a safe, medical program for qualified
patients.
Who qualifies for the Medical Cannabis Program in NM?
In
order to qualify for the Medical Cannabis Program a
patient must have
one of the seven debilitating medical conditions specified in the law.
-
HIV/AIDS
-
Cancer
-
Epilepsy
-
Glaucoma
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Multiple Sclerosis
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Spinal Cord Injury with Intractable Spasticity
-
Admittance into Hospice Care
If
the patient does not have one of the specified medical conditions, he
or she is not currently eligible for the Medical Cannabis Program in NM.
What if a patient doesn’t have one of the seven qualifying
conditions?
After
October 1, 2007, individuals can submit a petition to the DOH medical
advisory board to have a condition added to the list of debilitating
medical conditions. The medical advisory board which will
meet at
least twice a year to conduct public hearings and evaluate petitions to
possibly add debilitating medical conditions that could benefit from
the medical use of cannabis.
How will the program work?
Please visit the New Mexico Department of
Health’s Medical
Cannabis Program website for information on the
program, how to register, and to download an application.
Important Dates
More Information
Medical Marijuana this Session
- 2/5/07: SB 238, the Lynn and Erin
Compassionate Use Act, passes the Senate floor 34 to 7!
- 2/24/07:
SB238 passed the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee by a
vote of 5 -2 with a do pass without recommendation. (This was the same
committee where the bill was tabled in 2006).
- 2/26/07: The medical marijuana bill
passed the final House committee, the House Judiciary Committee, by a
vote of 9 to 2.
- 3/8/07:
SB 238 was heard on the House floor and after three hours of emotional
debate was ultimately killed by a vote of 36 to 33. There are
articles here and here detailing
the House floor vote
- 3/10/07:
We will not give up! SB 523, Senator Robinson’s medical
marijuana bill,
was replaced with the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act on the Senate
floor, and passed by a vote of 32 to 3. The revived medical marijuana
bill now
heads to the House, again!
- 3/12/07: SB 523, the new medical
marijuana bill, passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 10 to
3.
- 3/13/07: Medical
marijuana passes the House!
The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act passed the House floor 36 to
31. The bill, however, was amended on House floor to say that the
medical cannabis production or distribution cannot occur within 300
feet of a school, day-care center, or church. The bill now must return
to the Senate for approval of the amendment.
- 3/14/07:
Senate approved the amendment for SB 523 with no debate! Medical
marijuana passed the New Mexico legislature with only 2 ½
days left in
the session!!
- 4/2/07: Governor
Richardson signed the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act allowing
legal access to medical cannabis for the seriously ill and dying in New
Mexico. We did it!
Get Involved
- Stay up to date on the medical marijuana regulations. Sign
up to receive Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico's
action alerts.
- Check out DPA's tips on citizen lobbying: Advocacy
101
Read: State launches annual pot hunt - August 2007 |
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