Is Weed Legal In New Mexico?

Is cannabis legal in New Mexico?

Medical and adult use of cannabis is legal in New Mexico.

What are the medical marijuana laws in New Mexico?

Medical Cannabis Laws in NM

2007

Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act SB 0523

Governor Bill Richardson signs into law Senate Bill 523, the “Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act.”

The bill allowed the use of cannabis with a physician’s recommendation to treat certain medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.

It was preceded by the Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act (1978), which gave access to 250 patients with cancer. There was an act in place in Washington as well.

Recreational Cannabis Laws in NM

Recreational (adult-use) cannabis is legal as of June 29, 2021.

Adults 21 and older can possess up to two ounces of cannabis and grow up to six mature plants for personal use. House Bill 2, the Cannabis Regulation Act, was signed into law by Governor Lujan Grisham on April 12, 2021.

1999

Republican Governor Gary Johnson set off a political firestorm in the state when he endorsed the drug legalization policy. Johnson called for the legalization of cannabis and said that the drug’s dangers had been significantly exaggerated.

2019

House Bill 356 was introduced. The bill died in the legislative session’s final days when the state Senate Finance Committee, chaired by John Arthur Smith, refused to give the bill a hearing.

2019

Decriminalization. Possession of up to 1⁄2 ounce (14 g) of cannabis is a petty misdemeanor offense, punishable by a $50 fine.

2021

HB 2 legalizes recreational cannabis.

Possession of cannabis for adults 21 and over becomes legal on June 29, 2021. No possession limit applies at home, while a two-ounce limitation applies outside the home.

Personal cultivation of six mature plants and six immature plants is allowed per person, with a limit of 12 mature plants per residence.

Retail sales of cannabis are announced to begin by April 1, 2022. A 12% excise tax will apply in addition to regular sales taxes. The excise tax will increase by 1% each year from 2025 until reaching 18% in 2030.

No limit is specified on the number of retail licenses to be issued. Local governments cannot ban dispensaries entirely but can limit the number allowed or restrict their location.

Public consumption remains illegal, but businesses can offer on-site consumption if certain requirements are met.
Any arrests or convictions for acts made legal by the bill will automatically be expunged.

2022

The first recreational adult use stores opened in New Mexico on April 1.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in New Mexico?

The New Mexico law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

Anxiety
Alzheimer’s Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cancer
Crohn’s Disease
Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord (with an 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 (MS)
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Opioid Use Disorder
Painful Peripheral Neuropathy
Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Severe Anorexia/Cachexia
Severe Chronic Pain
Spasmodic Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia)
Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Ulcerative Colitis

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in New Mexico?

With Leafwell, you can get your New Mexico Medical Marijuana Card in 4 simple steps:

1. Register online with Leafwell – It’s quick and easy! Your data and medical records are secure on our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.

2. Consult with a certified physician licensed in New Mexico state with Leafwell – This consultation fee is $99. Once you’ve completed the enrolment paperwork, you’ll be connected to a New Mexico physician. The process is simple and HIPAA-compliant. Once approved, your physician will enter your details into the state database.

3. Apply to the New Mexico government, called the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Medical Cannabis Program – Complete the government application and submit it to the state.

4. Your physical medical marijuana card will be sent to you within 35 days of submission – Most cards arrive much sooner. Still, when the government is experiencing high volume, patients may have to wait a little longer. The card is valid for three years, but you will need to meet with a Leafwell physician yearly to recertify that your qualifying condition is still applicable. Please note that cards are issued by the state, not Leafwell. Leafwell will not be mailing you anything.

The state of New Mexico is working on making digital versions of NM medical cannabis ID cards, but they are not available as of yet.

You must be 18 years old or over to undergo a medical cannabis evaluation with a physician for yourself. Those under 18 years old will need a caregiver, who must be aged 21 or over and is responsible for looking after the patient.

Get your medical marijuana card

Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.

Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in New Mexico?

Yes, telemedicine is legal in New Mexico, and you can get certified for cannabis online.

How much cannabis can I possess in New Mexico with an MMJ Card?

For medical card holders = 8 oz. every 90 days
For recreational users = 2 oz.
No limits on possession within one’s own home.

Is it legal to grow cannabis in New Mexico?

Up to 6 mature plants per person, with a maximum of 12 per household for medical and recreational growers.

Does New Mexico accept out-of-state cards?

New Mexico has an uneasy relationship when it comes to medical marijuana reciprocity. Recent law changes barred reciprocity with other states, but this law has been challenged and ruled “unlawful.” As of July 1, 2021, New Mexico must recognize and allow purchases for out-of-state patients with valid medical marijuana cards.

Will my New Mexico card be accepted in other states?

New Mexico patients were once barred from applying to medical marijuana programs from other states. However, this has been deemed illegal, so New Mexico medical marijuana cards can now be recognized and honored by other states that allow for medical marijuana reciprocity.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

Arizona
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Oklahoma
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
US Virgin Islands
Utah
Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is fine) – just that the state’s medical marijuana laws protect you to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and intend to purchase medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also accountable to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing visiting patients to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

Arkansas
California
Hawaii
West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis cardholders in New Mexico?

Unless a failure to do so would cause the employer to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law or federal regulations, it is unlawful to take adverse employment action against an applicant or an employee based on conduct allowed under the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act. However, employers may still prohibit or take adverse employment action against an employee for the use of, or being impaired by, medical cannabis on the premises of the place of employment or during the hours of employment. Similarly, the employer may take adverse action if the employee works in a safety-sensitive position.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in New Mexico?

Cannabis in New Mexico must be tested for cannabinoid and terpene content, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contamination.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in New Mexico?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy or another legally designated space to buy cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can do so.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in New Mexico?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. Near schools, nurseries, parks, or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals, or other such healthcare space is also illegal. Private members’ clubs and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense, generally keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet consumption methods wherever possible.

Legal status

Possession limits

State taxes

Cultivation

To apply for a medical cannabis card in the state of New Mexico