The Medical Cannabis Program (MCP) was created in 2007 under the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act (the Act). The purpose of this Act is to allow the beneficial use of medical cannabis in a regulated system for alleviating symptoms caused by debilitating medical conditions. New Mexicans with a diagnosed qualifying medical condition are eligible to participate in the Program.

The Program serves New Mexicans with qualifying medical conditions diagnosed by a health care provider. There are currently 21 qualifying medical conditions:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C Infection currently receiving antiviral treatment (proof of current anti-viral treatment required)
• HIV/AIDS
• Huntington’s Disease
• Hospice Care
• Inclusion Body Myositis
• Intractable Nausea/Vomiting
• Inflammatory autoimmune-mediated arthritis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord, with (proof of objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity required)
• Painful Peripheral Neuropathy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Severe Chronic Pain
• Severe Anorexia/Cachexia
• Spasmodic Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia)
• Ulcerative Colitis

The Program enables the provision of compassionate care for people that have certain illnesses who prefer to use cannabis to alleviate symptoms related to their diagnosis.

FY18 OPERATING BUDGET: $2,750,000

• Other State Funds: $2,750,000

During the second quarter of FY18, some of MCP’s accomplishments included:

• Gave one educational presentation to 22 law enforcement staff.
• Gave one medical presentation to a group of nephrologists.
• Gave one presentation for approximately 30 local town council members and their constituents.  
• Continued cross-training Licensing and Compliance Manager duties with Patient Services Manager duties.
• Hired and trained one new data entry clerk to assist with data entry of patient applications.
• Hired new Medical Director to assist with medical review and approval of patient applications.
• Implemented strategies to print, fold, and stuff informational patient inserts at the NMDOH mailroom to reduce staff time on patient mailings in the office.