Medical Cannabis in New Mexico: Program Overview

Navigating the process of getting a medical cannabis card can be daunting because of the many regulations set by the state. Thankfully, we’re here to help you with everything you need to know about the New Mexico cannabis program, from available products and qualifying conditions to your first dispensary visit. 

Qualifying Conditions in New Mexico

Since each state is left to its own devices to create its medical marijuana cardholder program, no one program is the same. Some have more qualifying conditions, and some have very few. In New Mexico, there are 28 qualifying conditions for their Medical Cannabis Program. 

The 28 qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in New Mexico: 

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cancer
• Crohn's Disease
• Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord (with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity)
• Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
• Friedreich's Ataxia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C Infection currently receiving antiviral therapy
• HIV/AIDS
• Hospice Care
• Huntington’s disease
• Inclusion Body Myositis
• Inflammatory Autoimmune-mediated Arthritis
• Intractable Nausea/Vomiting
• Lewy Body Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Opioid Use Disorder
• Painful Peripheral Neuropathy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Severe Anorexia/Cachexia
• Severe Chronic Pain
• Spasmodic Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia)
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Ulcerative Colitis

What If My Condition Isn’t Listed?

If your condition is not in the list above, you still have options. Appealing to the Medical Advisory Board to have your specific condition added to the current list can be done on the state website, nmhealth.org. If you have proper documentation of your condition from a healthcare provider and a New Mexico state ID, you’re all set to send off your application! 

New Mexico Caregiver Information

New Mexico’s Cannabis program allows a qualifying patient to select a primary caregiver to oversee their well-being and assist them in acquiring medical cannabis products.

 A designated caregiver can also apply to receive a Personal Production License, which allows them to grow medical cannabis for the qualified patient’s personal use.

If you need to establish a caregiver, you can do so through the patient registry application. If you have questions, you can call New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program at 505-827-2321 or email the program at: Medical.Cannabis@state.nm.us.

Cannabis Program Specifics

Thanks to New Mexico passing the Cannabis Regulations Act back in April, starting June 29, 2021, any adult 21 and older can legally own up to two ounces (56 grams) of flower, 16 grams of concentrate, or 800mg of edibles. Adults are permitted to store an unspecified amount of cannabis as long as it is stored in locked containers at home. 

With the passing of the act, New Mexico will begin selling commercial cannabis no later than 04/01/22. Unfortunately, this act will no longer allow out-of-state residents to apply to their program. Additionally, anyone who received a New Mexico medical cannabis card in the last year won’t be able to renew their cards upon their expiration. 

Your First Dispensary Trip

Your first trip to a dispensary can be both exciting and intimidating. With a wide variety of products to choose from, it’s essential to know the basics and key differences between consumption methods.

When you walk into a New Mexico dispensary for the first time, the variety of products and strains can be overwhelming. If you are new to cannabis or want to try out a strain without committing, pre-rolls are a cheap way of doing so. 

If you’ve medicated with flower for a while and are looking for a new way to consume your medication, trying out a concentrate could be just what you need. If you are not quite sure you want to commit to consuming concentrates, trying out a disposable oil cartridge is a great way to try it out.

What Are Cannabis Extracts?

Cannabis extracts are concentrated forms of cannabis, often refined in potency and flavor. Many of the different names, such as sugar, badder, budder, wax, etc., refer to the consistency of the concentrate. 

Typically, those go through a refinement process involving a hydrocarbon extraction method to isolate cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material.

Solventless extracts are made by adding heat and pressure to flowers or hash and collecting the rosin that comes out. 

Regardless of what you choose, extracts will typically always be more potent and require a smaller dosage to affect an individual. 

Are Edibles Legal in New Mexico?

Yes, edibles are available in New Mexico dispensaries! Infusing dispensary-bought cannabis flower into your food is possible, though we would recommend trying the dispensary-provided edibles first. This way, you can ensure you are getting your desired dose every time. Dispensaries have many different ready-to-eat edible options. The most popular are gummies, chocolates, capsules, brownies, cookies, and other baked goods.