Program momentum continues as April marks single-biggest cardholder gain in the last 12 months

(Albuquerque) – Patient enrollment in New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program reached 115,732 patients as of April 30, 2021, according to recent data released by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). This represents an increase of 25,810 patients or 29% over April 2020 enrollment. 

Along with the enrolled patients, the program is serving 9,781 reciprocal participants, according to data released by NMDOH. 

Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program Approaching 125,000 enrollees”

Court victory grants greater access for patients to engage in the Medical Cannabis Program

(Albuquerque) – New Mexico District Court Judge Mattew J. Wilson issued a Writ of Mandamus on May 3, 2021, effectively expanding eligibility for thousands of reciprocal cannabis patients in New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program.

The writ, filed by Ultra Health, New Mexico’s #1 Cannabis Company, contends that the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) promulgated a rule that was not consistent with the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act (LECUA), the Medical Cannabis Program’s enabling legislation. Continue reading “New Mexico Judge Orders State Agency To Reinstate Cannabis Reciprocity Eligibility”

Available supply to be difficult as patient purchase limits increase twenty-two times above current rules

(Albuquerque) – Patient enrollment in New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program reached 112,183 patients as of March 31, 2021, according to recent data released by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). This represents an increase of 27,015 patients or 32% over March 2020 enrollment. 

The Medical Cannabis Program has seen substantial, double-digit increases in patient enrollment during the last five years, adding more than 90,000 patients since March 2016. Now, the challenge will be to supply the medical program and adult-use program with an adequate supply of cannabis statewide. 

Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Enrollment Continues Upward Pace in First Quarter of 2021”

Enrollment climbs and personal production licenses shrink as patients are unable to access adequate supply

(Albuquerque) – Active patient enrollment in New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program reached 107,371 patients as of January 31, 2021, according to data released by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). This represents an increase of 25,600 patients or 31% over January 2020 enrollment. 

As patient enrollment grew substantially over the last 12 months, patients are choosing established licensed cannabis providers for their cannabis needs rather than seeking personal production licenses. The total number of personal production licenses shrank by 5% from January 31, 2020, to January 31, 2021. 

Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program Enters 2021 with Strong Patient Enrollment”

ULTRA HEALTH WINS FAVORABLE RULING, JUDGE INVALIDATES NEW CANNABIS REGULATIONS

Judge invalidates Department of Health rules on license revocation, hemp, and testing due to lack of evidence

(Santa Fe) – Ultra Health, New Mexico’s #1 Cannabis Company, won a favorable ruling on regulations promulgated by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) in June 2020. The regulations – including the strictest testing requirements in the United States, arbitrary restrictions on hemp activities, and suspension or revocation of a license without notice – were all invalidated by Santa Fe District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid. 

Judge Biedscheid invalidated the rules after NMDOH failed to consult the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board regarding the new regulations and failed to provide substantial evidence to support the changes. 

Ultra Health and several other medical cannabis industry operators filed a petition under Rule 1-075 NMRA, which authorizes appeals from administrative decisions. Rule 1-075(R) NMRA requires that the Court analyze whether the decision of the agency is supported by substantial evidence, or evidence that is relevant and that a reasonable person may accept as adequate to support a conclusion.

Continue reading “Ultra Health Wins Favorable Ruling, Judge Invalidates New Cannabis Regulations”

New Mexico Department of Health Secretary admits to arbitrary, retaliatory motivation for new plant limit

(Santa Fe) – Nicole Sena, a medical cannabis caregiver to her young daughter with a rare form of epilepsy, and Ultra Health have reopened their lawsuit against the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) to ensure an adequate supply of medicine. 

The original lawsuit, filed in August 2016, contended the plant cap regulation promulgated by NMDOH was not in accordance with the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, the enabling legislation for New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program.

In November 2018, then-District Judge David K. Thomson ruled the department’s plant cap was arbitrary, capricious, and frustrated the purpose of the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act. Sena and Ultra Health have reopened the case due to the department’s new regulation limiting adequate supply in the program.

Continue reading “New Mexico Patient Caregiver and Provider File Motion To Enforce Plant Count Lawsuit”

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. 

Continue reading “NEW MEXICO MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM ENDS 2020 WITH RECORD 105,000 ENROLLEES”

Despite record milestone, cultivation limits prevent adequate supply and increase costs of medicine for patients

(Albuquerque) – Patient enrollment in New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program reached 100,021 patients as of October 31, 2020, according to data released by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). This represents an increase of 21,659 patients or 28% over October 2019 enrollment. Patients choose Ultra Health as their preferred cannabis provider 5 to 1. The operator has 21 locations statewide. 

New Mexico currently has a patient penetration rate of 6% of all adults. Enrollment in the program has substantial room to grow, as neighboring Oklahoma has a patient penetration rate of 12% of adults statewide. 

Continue reading “New Mexico Medical Cannabis Enrollment Surpasses 100,000 Patients Statewide”