Patient enrollment upward momentum continues while arbitrary regulations block access to medicine

(Albuquerque) – Active patient enrollment in New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program reached 104,655 patients as of December 31, 2020, according to data released by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). This represents an increase of 24,398 patients or 30% over December 2019 enrollment. 

At the current rate, the program is experiencing a net gain of more than 2,000 new patients each month. Less patients are requesting personal production licenses for home cultivation. Last year nearly 10% of enrollees had approved home grows, in 2020 the number has declined to 7%, putting more supply demand on the licensed commercial producers.

The program has also enrolled about 6,000 reciprocal participants, or patients with medical cannabis authorizations from another state, according to data released by NMDOH via an IPRA request. Altogether, the 104,655 patients and 6,000 reciprocal participants are placing unprecedented pressures on available medicine across the state. 

NMDOH has currently capped production at 51,950 plants statewide, leaving less than ½ of a plant for each medical cannabis patient. In comparison, Colorado currently allows up to 9 plants per medical cannabis patient.  

In fall 2018, NMDOH was court-ordered to raise the plant count after the previous limit was found to be arbitrary, capricious, and frustrated the purpose of the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act. At that time, there was less than ½ plant per patient available. 

Per the judge’s order and given the current plants-per-patient ratio is equal to the ratio when NMDOH was court-ordered to increase cultivation capacity, the department has a duty to significantly raise the plant count to ensure patient needs are being met. 

The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board (MCAB), a statutorily-designed body intended to recommend changes to the program, recognized the need for increased access to cannabis during its 2020 meetings. 

In November, the MCAB recommended that the program nearly double patient purchase limits from 8 ounces to 15 ounces over a 90-day period. In December, the board recommended that NMDOH significantly raise the plant limit. It is unclear whether the NMDOH Secretary will make the programmatic changes that reflect the board’s recommendations and patients’ need for an adequate supply. 

The ballooning of patient enrollment during 2020, as well as the undeniable exponential growth the program has seen over the last several years, indicates New Mexicans need cannabis now more than ever. “To witness such positive growth during the biggest healthcare crisis in the last 100 years is beyond impressive,” said Duke Rodriguez, CEO and President of Ultra Health®. “If this were any other industry besides cannabis, regulators would be tackling every obstacle to make way for enhanced patient support, particularly availability and affordability. The goal in 2021 will be to push for vital programmatic changes to meet the promise of the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, to provide the beneficial use of medical cannabis for every patient enrolled.”