New Mexico’s number 1 cannabis company continues to provide medicine to underserved areas

(Albuquerque) – Ultra Health®, a national medical cannabis leader with a large New Mexico presence, is continuing its commitment to serving rural areas by opening its seventh location in Clovis on January 27, 2017. Ultra Health now has locations in five counties across New Mexico.

The new location – a 1,600 square foot facility at 1512 North Prince Street – will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It will be Ultra Health’s third dispensary in a rural area, with two others in Hobbs and Bernalillo.  

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Cannabis industry revenues up more than 64 percent over last year. 

(Albuquerque) – The Medical Cannabis Program’s total industry revenues from 2015 to 2016 increased by $19.7 million, resulting in $50,638,520 and a growth of 64 percent. Cannabis sales significantly surpassed other notable industries. Comparatively, the New Mexico chile crop was valued at $41.1 million in 2015 and the state’s craft beer industry is expected to generate $30 million in 2016.

The last reported New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) active patient enrollees was 32,840 as of October 2016, an increase of 76 percent from the prior year at 18,628. The growth in total dollar sales continues to lag behind patient enrollee count, validating an underserved demand attributable to the lack of adequate supply in the marketplace. Enrollee information for November and December 2016 has not been released by NMDOH.
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New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program revenues continue upward growth in third quarter

(Albuquerque) – The Medical Cannabis Program’s total patient revenues for the first nine months ending September 30, 2016 exceeded $35.5 million, representing a 66 percent increase over the same period in 2015. The thirty-five licensed New Mexico medical cannabis producers are on pace for a record setting year of $48.4 million.  

Five providers, including Ultra Health®, had patient sales over $1 million in the third quarter alone, which is an industry first. The top 10 providers account for nearly three-quarters of total medical cannabis nine month revenues in New Mexico, while the 12 new providers licensed in December 2015 account for slightly over 2 percent of the total. Ultra Health® was the top percentage gainer and top producer for the third quarter with revenues up by 31 percent. Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Revenues Hit New Record in Third Quarter”

Ultra Health, the state’s leading medical cannabis provider, will host a sock drive at all it’s dispensaries during the first week of November through December 20. As part of Ultra Health’s corporate giving program, it is committed to giving back to the communities it serves, and will match each pair of socks donated.

The number one needed clothing item for the homeless is socks, as people very rarely donate them. Socks can make a world of difference for someone in need. New socks reduce the risk of skin infections, prevent frostbite and foster good hygiene.

“Success for an organization should not be defined by what we get, but by what we give,” said Duke Rodriguez, CEO and President of Ultra Health®. “The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act was created to provide compassion and relief to those in need. We would like to extend this commitment by helping the charities serving less fortunate New Mexicans.” Continue reading “Ultra Health to Host Sock Drive”

Producer revenues increase, while total sales significantly lag behind patient growth

(Albuquerque) – Of the 23 Licensed Non-Profit Producers (LNPPs) who were operating throughout fiscal year 2016, over two-thirds experienced double-digit revenue growth.  Four producers experienced negative growth, and three others were essentially flat during the period.

Total industry revenues from fiscal year 2015 to 2016 increased by $14.1 million, resulting in a $39 million total and a growth of 56 percent. Sales lagged behind patient growth, as patient numbers increased from 15,265 to 26,568, by 74 percent, for the same period.

“The industry is doing as much as it can to keep providing patients with the medicine they need,” said Duke Rodriguez, CEO and President of Ultra Health®. “But, it has become clear as sales significantly lag behind patient growth, there is not an adequate supply of medicine. Patients may be forced to go outside the licensed program and look to the black market for their needs.”

Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Sales Up 56 Percent, Patients Up 74 Percent”

Senate passed bill to increase plant count, special session ended with no House vote

(Albuquerque) – Patients in New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program reached 30,877 at the end of the third calendar quarter, a 4,309 increase from June 30, 2016. This increase is twice the amount of patients that were added to the program in the same quarter in 2015. Additionally, the program has seen a 76 percent patient growth increase over the past year.

Bernalillo and Santa Fe remain the two largest counties by patient population with 11,396 and 4,070 enrolled patients, respectively. Every county, excluding Harding and Union counties, experienced a double-digit increase in patients in the third calendar quarter. Growth continues to accelerate particularly in the southern and southeastern parts of New Mexico including Dona Ana, Lea, Chaves, Grant and Eddy counties. Nearly 3,200 patients are living in rural counties without a full time dispensary.

“The gap between the growing number of patients and the amount of available medical grade cannabis is widening,” said Duke Rodriguez, CEO and President of Ultra Health®.

Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program Grows To 31,000 Patients”

Legalized cannabis industry in New Mexico to create new jobs, unprecedented annual revenues

(Albuquerque) – A recent economic report produced by Kelly O’Donnell, Ph.D., of O’Donnell Economics and Strategy found the legalized cannabis industry in New Mexico would total $412.5 million in annual revenues after the first year of implementation and $677.7 million by 2021.

The report, commissioned by Ultra Health® with support from the Drug Policy Alliance, Rio Grande Foundation and a consortium of industry advocates, also found that legalized cannabis would create more than 11,400 jobs – 6,600 in the direct cannabis industry and 4,780 in ancillary positions.

“Legalizing cannabis could have a profound effect on New Mexico’s economy and help fill New Mexico’s yawning budget gap,” Dr. O’Donnell said. “But to achieve the benefits of a robust cannabis market, state policymakers must insist on common sense regulation and sound tax policy.”

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The Medical Cannabis Program reaches all-time high patient numbers in August

(Taos) – The number of patients in the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program reached 30,140 this month, including 975 pending applications, according to a document released by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Monday at a legislative meeting in Taos.

NMDOH confirmed in a written statement that zero new patient applications or renewals have been denied during fiscal year 2016. There are currently 6,300 patients with Personal Production Licenses (PPLs), and zero PPL applications have been denied.

“We are pleased to confirm that we are above 30,000 patients and to acknowledge the reality that 100 percent of all applications are approved,” said Duke Rodriguez, CEO and President of Ultra Health ® , LLC. “It would be wise to immediately adopt a policy of presumptive eligibility thereby making certain there are no further delays in getting patients their rights to access medical cannabis.”

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