Marijuana debate stirs up governor’s race in New Mexico

The Sentinel / Susan Montoya Bryan
Published on April 19, 2018

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Apodaca on Thursday called for the expansion of New Mexico’s medical marijuana program and for legalization of recreational use, saying the poverty-stricken state is missing out on millions of dollars in tax revenues and jobs that could be spurred by the industry.

Apodaca released his plan solidifying his position as a supporter of legalization as the race for governor heats up.

Apodaca pointed to New Mexico’s history as the first state to allow for research and experimentation with marijuana as a therapeutic drug. It was his father, then-Gov. Jerry Apodaca, who signed that legislation in 1978.

The research program stalled and it wasn’t until 2008 that New Mexico rolled out its medical cannabis program.

“Why are we shooting for being the last to legalize cannabis for adult use?” Apodaca said in a statement.

The push for legalization comes as New Mexico’s medical marijuana program has grown exponentially in just the last two years. Producers licensed under the program reported record sales of more than $86 million in 2017 and the number of patients enrolled now tops 50,000.

“We know the medical benefits of it. And we also know the opportunities of legalization for adult use,” Apodaca said, suggesting expansion of the long-standing medical marijuana program along with legalization could result in an estimated $200 million of additional tax revenues for the state.

The state’s largest producer, Ultra Health, announced that it has acquired farmland in southern New Mexico and has plans for what the industry says could be the largest cultivation facility in North America.

The property spans nearly one-third of a square mile (81 hectares) in Otero County. It will include 20 acres (8 hectares) of indoor cultivation, 80 acres (32 hectares) of outdoor cannabis fields and another 100 acres (40 hectares) of outdoor hemp fields.

Ultra Health president and CEO Duke Rodriguez said the company is preparing for a future in which New Mexico stands to benefit from expanded medical use and possibly recreational use.

Apodaca’s plan calls for lifting the current limits on the number of plants producers can grow and reducing costly licensing fees.

Other Democratic candidates have been more cautious.

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she would work with state lawmakers to move toward legalizing marijuana to ensure there are adequate health, safety and enforcement measures in place.

She called for a “thorough analysis” of recreational pot programs in other states as part of that effort.

Lujan Grisham was in charge of the state Health Department when the medical marijuana program began. Aside from the legalization debate, she said supporting producers to create the latest medicines and methods to help patients would help create jobs and expand the industry.

State Sen. Joseph Cervantes, another Democratic candidate, has sponsored unsuccessful legislation to decriminalize possession of small quantities of pot but has said the state doesn’t have the infrastructure and isn’t ready yet to legalize.

Cervantes recently lauded efforts at the local level by the state’s largest city — Albuquerque — to decriminalize possession of small amounts. He said he would do the same as governor and that it would mark a first step.

Republican congressman and gubernatorial candidate Steve Pearce expressed reservations about legalization at a forum earlier this month. He said it might create a stumbling block for people trying to climb out of poverty and addiction to other drugs.

“I just don’t see how it fits that we’re going to deal with addiction and yet we’re going to tell people, ‘This one is OK.’ I’ve watched it for a lifetime. I just am very nervous with recreational marijuana,” he said.


New Mexico Medical Cannabis Providers Pay $2.93 Million for 14,550 Plants

Licensed plants increased by 5%, patient enrollment projected to be up 150% for same period

(Albuquerque) – The 35 Licensed Non-Profit Producers (LNPPs) licensed a total of 14,550 plants through July 31, 2018, an increase of 750 plants or 5 percent since August 1, 2016, while the program’s enrollment is expected to grow by more than 42,000 patients or 150 percent for the same period. Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Providers Pay $2.93 Million for 14,550 Plants”


New Mexico Medical Cannabis Provider Hits Millionth Gram Milestone

Patient given free medicine for one year for buying Ultra Health’s millionth gram of flower

(Albuquerque) – Ultra Health, New Mexico’s No. 1 cannabis company with a nationwide presence, is celebrating its millionth gram of cannabis flower sold in New Mexico by providing one patient with free medicine for one full year.

The patient, from Ultra Health’s Albuquerque Westside location, will receive up to 10.5 grams of medical cannabis flower per week for 52 consecutive weeks to commemorate the provider’s milestone achievement.

Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Provider Hits Millionth Gram Milestone”


New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program Sees Record Patient Growth

Patient enrollment continues exponential growth; plants and revenues lag behind

(Albuquerque) – The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program’s patient enrollment has seen its fastest growth yet, climbing by 15,357 patients or 53 percent in the first six months alone of 2017. The 44,403 current program enrollment is on track to increase by an annualized rate of 103 percent, to nearly 60,000 patients by December 31, 2017.

Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program Sees Record Patient Growth”


Smokeless Medical Cannabis Products Released in New Mexico

The state’s largest medical cannabis company releases first-ever pharmaceutical grade products

(Albuquerque) – Ultra Health, New Mexico’s #1 medical cannabis company with a nationwide presence, has released the first pharmaceutical grade, accurately dosed medical cannabis products to the New Mexico market. The products provide reliable and easy-to-administer dosages of medical cannabis, which has been effective in treating a variety of ailments ranging from PTSD to cancer to chronic pain to epilepsy to Parkinson’s disease, among others.

Continue reading “Smokeless Medical Cannabis Products Released in New Mexico”


Ultra Health Files Freedom of Speech Lawsuit

Federal suit filed against EXPO New Mexico officials under First and Fourteenth Amendments

 

(Albuquerque) – New Mexico Top Organics-Ultra Health filed a complaint against three EXPO New Mexico officials for unconstitutional attempts to limit the company’s rights to display a cannabis educational and informative booth at the New Mexico State Fair in 2017.

 

Because EXPO New Mexico is a government entity and the New Mexico State Fair a public forum, restricting Ultra Health’s ability to educate the public and advocate on behalf of medical cannabis violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments, the lawsuit contends.

Continue reading “Ultra Health Files Freedom of Speech Lawsuit”


New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program Surpasses 40,000 Patients

Patient enrollment sees biggest reported month to month jump in program history

(Albuquerque) – The Medical Cannabis Program’s patient enrollment reached 40,432 patients as of April 30, 2017, an increase of more than 5,500 patients since March according to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). The program is on track to enroll nearly 60,000 patients by the end of 2017.

March to April was the biggest month to month increase the program has seen since its inception in 2007. The number of patients enrolled in the program has increased by 84 percent since March 31, 2016 (NMDOH did not issue a patient statistics report for the month of April 2016). First quarter revenues in 2017 reached $19 million, with year-end revenues expected to reach $83.5 million.

Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program Surpasses 40,000 Patients”


New Mexico Judge Grants Stay to Halt NMDOH Proposed Sanction

Ruling allows Ultra Health’s seven locations to remain open during year’s biggest sales week

 

(Santa Fe) – Santa Fe District Judge David K. Thomson granted Ultra Health a stay Monday from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) proposed sanction for bringing Dorothy, a 3-week-old cannabis seedling, to the New Mexico State Fair on September 8, 2016.

 

“[The] Court finds that the Petitioner [Ultra Health] will likely prevail on the merits of their arguments that the sanction imposed is excessive and without much support in law or regulation,” Judge Thomson said in his order.

 

The judge ordered a motion to stay the sanction of ceasing Ultra Health’s operations for five consecutive days and that Ultra Health must still pay the proposed $100 fine.

 

Continue reading “New Mexico Judge Grants Stay to Halt NMDOH Proposed Sanction”


Ultra Health Opens First-Ever US Cannabis Pharmaceutical Lab

Joint venture between Ultra Health, Panaxia brings smokeless cannabis medicine to United States

(Albuquerque, New Mexico) – Ultra Health®, New Mexico’s No. 1 cannabis company with a nationwide presence, and Panaxia Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd, an Israeli pharmaceutical company specializing in pharmaceutical cannabis R&D and manufacturing, launched the first pharmaceutical cannabis production facility in the United States, located in Bernalillo, New Mexico. The facility will manufacture smokeless, accurately dosed cannabis medicine in a variety of delivery methods.

Continue reading “Ultra Health Opens First-Ever US Cannabis Pharmaceutical Lab”


Ultra Health shows continued support for its communities during the 2016 holiday season

Ultra Health extended a donation to the Town of Bernalillo for The Town’s Children’s Christmas Fund in December 2016, helping children who would otherwise not receive presents get a special surprise from Santa.

This is the second consecutive year Ultra Health has donated to the fund. Ultra Health has also contributed funds toward other services for the Town of Bernalillo such as coat and toy drives. The Mayor of Bernalillo, Jack Torres, sent a thank you letter to Ultra Health expressing the town’s gratitude.

The letter reads:

“I am writing to express our deepest thanks on behalf of the Town Council and the staff of the Town of Bernalillo, for your recent donation to The Town’s Children’s Christmas Fund. Generous gifts from donors like you provide the financial and moral support needed to continue our mission. We raised over $11,000.00.

With your faithful contributions over the years, you’ve demonstrated your deep commitment to our community and ensure that every child in need was provided with a gift this Christmas.

Your support has repeatedly played a key role in our success. The children were so excited to receive their Christmas gifts personally delivered by Santa. It was such a wonderful gift to see the joy and pleasure the children got from their presents.

The tradition of the Children’s Christmas fund began in 1957 for less fortunate children in our community. It is only with the support of people like yourself that we are able to continue this tradition. There is no way to fully express our gratitude for your loyalty. We at the Town of Bernalillo are continually inspired by the dedication and generosity of donors like yourself who answer the call to give again and again.

Thank you once again; your kindness is truly appreciated.

Sincerely yours,

Jack Torres, Mayor”

Ultra Health also participates in other charitable causes regularly. Most recently, all six Ultra Health locations hosted a sock drive  from November through the month of December, collecting and donating thousands of socks for nine charities across the state. The charities include Joy Junction, St. Martin’s Hospitality Center, Safe House, Bienvenidos Outreach, Many Mothers, Haven House and Hobbs Health Care Center.

Ultra Health also sponsors community events such as Zozobra, which will embark on its 93rd year of celebration in 2017. The Burning of Zozobra is a unique cultural event staged annually by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe on the Friday before Labor Day as an exciting and fiery kick-off to the historic 304 year-old Fiestas de Santa Fe.      

Ultra Health sponsored the 92nd annual Zozobra Celebration on September 2, 2016.
Ultra Health sponsored the 92nd annual Zozobra Celebration on September 2, 2016.

Ultra Health is also the title sponsor of the Ultra Health Gathering of Nations Powwow, an event that contributes a $20 million economic impact to the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Ultra Health will continue to donate to the communities it serves, as well as sponsor community events well into the future. After all, health is not only physical and mental, but social as well.