Medical Marijauna is one of the foremost medicines in treating multiple symptoms that people handle on a regular basis. It can be used as a way to control the symptoms of aggressive medications, treat painful diseases, as well as help with multiple mental illnesses.
Despite how useful medical marijuana is, there are several states that still keep marijuana illegal. This is why it is so important to know exactly how to apply for a medical card and/or purchase legal marijuana in your state.
There are endless rules and regulations, but one of the easiest state systems I have seen to date is the New Mexico Medical Marijuana Program.
The Application Process
Fortunately for you, the application process for New Mexico is rather easy compared to other locations. They have the application in several formats, you can mail it, or hand the application in at the location that is provided on the application.
Every form and part of their application website has help buttons. If you are lost or confused about anything, there are also people that you can call to help you through the process. Personally, it is one of the most informational state websites.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about reading all of that because here are the details that you need to know!
Who Can Apply
In the state of New Mexico, there are a few rules here and there to maintain the proper usage of medical marijuana. Compared to other states that have allowed the use of cannabis under the Compassionate Care Act, New Mexico has a very advanced list of conditions that can be treated with medical marijuana.
This list has been taken from the New Mexico Department of Health:
- 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
New Mexico also allows doctors and patients to apply for medical marijuana use when the patient doesn’t have a condition on the list. There is a Medical Advisory Board that can be petitioned to add new conditions to the list.
You never know, you and your doctor may be the reason even more people are helped!
What to Be Aware Of
The application itself is provided online here. The biggest thing to review is the checklist that is provided on the first page.
It’s important to collect as much information as possible so that you can provide an accurate application. All applicants have to be New Mexico residents and you need to have your medical history ready.
Official documentation from your primary care provider is also required. One of the highlights of applying for a medical marijuana card is that you have to fill out the forms with your provider.
This is a great way to make sure that you have their information correct and that your medical history is accurate. Once you have filled out the application with the necessary information, all you have to do is turn it in either through snail mail or by hand.
Getting Your Card
A verified medical marijuana card will have your photo, birth date, patient ID number, and the issue/expiration dates. After you send in your application, it will take some time for the card to arrive.
It is important to maintain any current treatments that you are on until your new card and prescription are received. It can take up to 30 days for your card to be processed and another five for it to be printed. That’s the minimum!
New Mexico is very rigorous about how they process applications. This is why it takes so long for the cards to be processed. Despite the length of time, they have one of the faster times for states that only allow medical marijuana.
Conclusion
Getting a medical marijuana card can be a frustrating process. For some states, people have to go out of town in order to obtain their prescriptions but only if there are reciprocity laws.
New Mexico is fortunately a state that already has a solid system in place with highly educated marijuana providers. Their medical staff are also more aware because of the laws that are in place. When you apply for a medical marijuana card in New Mexico, be confident that you are in good hands.
