Effective medical marijuana program in New Mexico provides model for
other states
While problematic medical marijuana
programs in states like Washington and California continue to create headlines,
New Mexico’s medical marijuana program continues to grow and improve with
little fanfare. Originally criticized for restrictive plant limits and having
too few providers, leading to shortages that kept medicine out of the hands of
patients, New Mexico’s Department of Health has quietly expanded the number of
providers (now up to 25) and the number of plants each can cultivate (up to 150
from 95). It has also expanded the list of conditions for which patients can
qualify. Of particular note, New Mexico is the only state that explicitly
recognizes marijuana as a treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder,
which affects many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, placing it at
the forefront nationwide.
Perhaps that’s one reason why State
Representative James Smith’s efforts to repeal the law were met with immediate
and overwhelming resistance. Back in February, Smith, following the lead
of governor Susana Martinez, introduced a repeal bill saying he didn’t want
New Mexico’s children to get the “wrong idea”
about medical marijuana. But after a firestorm of resistance, he quickly
amended the bill to a “study” of the program. Since then, there’s been no
mention from Smith, Martinez, or anyone else about repealing one of the nation’s
most effective medical marijuana programs.
For information on New Mexico’s
medical marijuana program, including information on qualifying conditions and
how to become a patient, please visit the New Mexico Health Department’s information
page. And to stay up to date on the latest news and information, subscribe to
MPP's free email alerts.
Marijuana
laws in New Mexico
While not a decrim state, New
Mexico’s marijuana laws are less draconian than most states.
Possession of one ounce or less of marijuana for non-medical purposes is
punishable by a $50-100 fine and up to 15 days in jail. A second offense, or a
conviction for possession of more than an ounce, can lead to a fine of up to
$1,000 and a prison term of up to one year.
While better than most, a law that could lead to jail time simply for
possessing a substance safer than alcohol is still wasteful and wrongheaded. According to this excellent
analysis of the consequences of New Mexico's laws, marijuana
arrests (91% of which were for simple possession) cost New Mexico’s criminal
justice system roughly $37.5 million dollars in 2006.
Use our online action center to ask
your state legislators to propose legislation that would put an
end to jail sentences for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Stay connected
For more information about the status of marijuana
policy reform in New Mexico, please contact us by email at state@mpp.org.
Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. To stay updated on the
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