Apply for Your New Mexico Medical Marijuana Card
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How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in New Mexico Step By Step
In 1996, the first state-wide medical marijuana law was approved. Patients all over the country use cannabis to manage a variety of chronic physical and emotional disorders, as demonstrated by more than 25 years of patient success stories, a successful regulatory framework, and ongoing studies.
Today, 37 states have active medical marijuana programs. In New Mexico, getting a medical marijuana card is a quick and simple process. You can possess more cannabis with your card, grow more plants at home, and get employment protections.
Although the application procedure is straightforward, New Mexico has a lengthy appeals process for applications that are denied. Understanding the program’s requirements and the application procedure will help you submit the strongest initial application, which will enable you to start treating with medical cannabis as soon as possible.
Step 1: Identify Your Qualifying Condition
To qualify for a card, you must have been diagnosed with one of the 28 qualifying conditions that New Mexico has approved. A doctor cannot add a diagnosis that is not listed on the application. You can submit a petition for review if you and your doctor think cannabis would help you but you don’t have a qualifying condition.
In New Mexico, the following conditions are frequently cited by eligible patients:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Cancer
- Painful peripheral neuropathy
- Inflammatory autoimmune-mediated arthritis
- Epilepsy/seizure disorder
Glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), anorexia, cachexia, damage to the spinal cord’s nervous system, Hepatitis C, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease are additional qualifying conditions. Talk to a doctor about medical cannabis if you have a chronic condition that interferes with your ability to function and lowers your quality of life.
Step 2: Meet with a Licensed Physician
A certification to use medical cannabis can be issued by any doctor in New Mexico who is authorized to prescribe controlled substances. The issuance of certifications is not required by providers. The best way to get a medical cannabis card is to work with a qualified medical marijuana doctor.
Cannabis is an effective treatment, according to marijuana doctors. They receive ongoing training and have the necessary clinical experience to give you in-depth information about how cannabis can help your condition’s symptoms, give you advice about any risks or difficulties you might encounter during treatment, and help you control your expectations for medical marijuana.
Telehealth allows doctors to perform evaluations of medical marijuana.
Step 3: Compile Your Paperwork
The New Mexico Department of Health will reject your application even if you are a qualified patient if it is not complete. This will cause a delay in your approval and possibly prevent you from using medical cannabis products to treat your condition. Prospective medical marijuana patients must submit the same paperwork for both paper and electronic applications to the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program.
Applications that are complete include:
- A fully completed and accurate Patient Information section.
- A fully completed Medical Provider Section. Be sure the provider selected a qualifying condition, filled out their contact information, and listed their license number. You cannot change the Medical Provider Section. If it is incomplete, you must obtain a new form.
- A copy of a one-page clinic note from your doctor related to your qualifying condition.
- A clear copy of your current New Mexico driver’s license or photo ID. The copy of the identification card must be clear and include a full-face photo.
- The application form must be dated and have the original signatures of both the patient and the medical provider. You cannot submit a photocopy of the application.
Be aware that the state might ask you for more medical records. Additionally, a qualified caregiver (typically your legal guardian) must submit a caregiver application to the state of New Mexico on your behalf if you’re a minor (under the age of 18).
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Before submitting your application, make sure all of the sections are accurate. Make sure that every field is completed, legible, and accurate. Ink should only be blue or black. Keep copies of the paperwork for your records, but make sure to give the state the originals.
Paper applications can be dropped off at the Department of Health office, which is located at 1474 Rodeo Road, Suite 200, Santa Fe, NM 87505, or mailed to the Department of Health, Medical Cannabis Program, PO Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502-6110.
The state can process applications and make decisions for up to 30 days. Through your account dashboard, you can view the status of your online application. Within five days of their approval, cards are sent out.
Step 5: Receive Your Medical Marijuana Card
You or your caregiver can go to dispensaries to buy medical marijuana once you have your card. You can purchase goods containing THC and/or CBD, including edibles, concentrates, topicals, and a wide range of other things. Your card will exempt your cannabis purchases from the excise tax (up to the 15-ounce possession limit).
Keep your card with you whenever you have marijuana on you or whenever you go to a dispensary. Your 90-day supply is tracked by entries in the state registry of purchases. Through your account dashboard, you can see your purchase history.
Need Help Obtaining a New Mexico Medical Marijuana Card?
You can manage your medical condition more successfully thanks to the higher possession allowances that come with a New Mexico medical marijuana card. In as little as 35 days, you can start making tax-free cannabis purchases with a thorough and accurate application.
You can get assistance from The Sanctuary with the state’s online and paper application procedures. Our caring staff can assist you in determining whether you have a qualifying diagnosis and put you in touch with a knowledgeable medical marijuana practitioner. Then, in order to increase your chances of being accepted, we can assist you in putting together a strong application.
To find out more, call us right away.