Get a New Mexico
Medical Marijuana Card

2 documents needed to apply for the New Mexico medical cannabis program

To apply for a medical marijuana card in New Mexico, you must follow a few essential steps to ensure your eligibility and successful registration.

1. Proof of Identity
   
   You will need a government-issued photo ID, such as a valid New Mexico ID or driver’s license. Temporary IDs are also accepted.
2. Medical Marijuana Recommendation
   Consult with a registered MMJ physician who can evaluate your condition and provide a recommendation. Once approved, your Leafwell healthcare provider will submit your medical marijuana recommendation directly to the state. Within 24 hours, you will receive an email from the state with instructions for completing the state application.

Next steps after approval

Congratulations on getting approved for your medical certification.

Per state regulations, you must complete the state application within 90 days.

Here’s a guide to what you need to do next.

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

• A clear (face visible) copy of your current New Mexico Driver’s License or New Mexico photo ID. Temporary New Mexico Driver’s License and photo IDs are acceptable.

Getting Your New Mexico Medical Marijuana Card

Your Leafwell physician will have passed all required details to the New Mexico Department of Health following your appointment. Within 24 hours you will receive an email from the state.  At that time, you can continue with the stateside of the application process.

The following video walks you through the next steps. Click here.

1. Create an Account with the New Mexico Department of Health Cannabis Program online.
https://mcp-patient-tracking.nmhealth.org/?action=registration

• Upon completion, you will be directed to check your email account for an email from the state
• To verify your email and confirm registration, simply click on the blue link found in the email. This action will take you back to the NMDOH patient portal home page.

2. Log in to the patient portal.

3. Complete and submit an official state application.

4. After you apply 

• The Medical Cannabis Program may take up to 5 business days from the date a complete application is received at the MCP office to approve or deny the application.
  • It is recommended that applications be submitted 45 to 60 days before expiration to avoid problems obtaining or possessing medical cannabis.

How to renew New Mexico medical marijuana card online

For medical cannabis patients who need to renew their New Mexico medical marijuana card, the process is similar to when you first applied. Here’s everything you need to know:

1. Sign in to Leafwell or register as a renewal patient if you’re new to Leafwell.
2. Speak to a New Mexico-licensed physician online.
3. Get approved and receive an email from the state.
4. Log into the New Mexico Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program’s online patient portal to complete your state application.

For more information about the med card renewal process or to begin the process today, check out our New Mexico renewal page.

Next steps after renewal

Getting Your New Mexico Medical Marijuana Card

Your Leafwell physician will have passed all required details to the New Mexico Department of Health following your appointment. You will receive an email from the state within 24 hours to continue with the application process. Make sure to complete the state application within 90 days of your certification to avoid any additional fees.

The following video walks you through the next steps. Click here.

1. Log in to your patient portal.
2. Complete and submit an official state application.
3. After you apply 

• The Medical Cannabis Program may take up to 5 business days from the date a complete application is received at the MCP office to approve or deny the application.
  • It is recommended that applications be submitted 45 to 60 days before expiration to avoid problems obtaining or possessing medical cannabis.

Legal limitations for New Mexico cardholders

Below, you’ll find a few need-to-know laws, regulations, and legal updates about cannabis in New Mexico.

• In 2007, former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act into law. Essentially, the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act legalized the cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, and consumption of medical cannabis products in New Mexico.
• Senate Bill 523 also legalized the purchase of up to 15 ounces of marijuana over 90 days and allows patients to cultivate up to six mature plants (with a maximum of 12 plants per home).
• Recreational cannabis was legalized in New Mexico after House Bill 2, also known as the Cannabis Regulation Act, was signed into law by Gov. Michelle Grisham. Adults 21 and older may purchase up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower, 16 grams of extract, and 800 milligrams (mg) of edibles.
  • Although recreational cannabis is legal, there are perks for patients with a medical identification card, including higher possession limits and lower sales tax on the purchase of cannabis products.
• CBD, THCA, delta-8 THC, and other hemp-derived cannabinoids are legal in New Mexico.
• New Mexico allows patients to get certified for MMJ through telehealth platforms like Leafwell, making the process easy and convenient for prospective patients.

How to become a caregiver in New Mexico

New Mexico defines a caregiver as a resident of the state who is at least 18 years old and who has been designated by the patient’s practitioner as being necessary to take responsibility for managing the well-being of a qualified patient with their medical use of cannabis.

Minor medical marijuana patients must have a primary caregiver.

Caregiver Requirements:

• At least 18 years old and a New Mexico resident.
• Medical marijuana patients can have one caregiver. Caregivers can serve up to four qualified patients.
• Caregivers will attend the certification appointment with the patient.
• A background check is not required for caregivers.

Caregiver Registration Process:

Once you have created a user account in the New Mexico Online Patient Portal, you can complete the caregiver application initiated by the patient’s healthcare provider.

• For a new or re-certifying medical cannabis patient, the caregiver will be added to the patient’s application so the medical provider and patient can approve.
• For an existing medical cannabis patient to add you as a caregiver, you must visit the patient’s medical provider to start a caregiver application. Once the patient approves you as their caregiver, you will receive an email notification to complete the application.

After submitting your application, it will be sent to the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program for review, approval, and issuance of your electronic card. Applications submitted through the Online Patient Portal are typically processed within five business days.

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Can I use my New Mexico medical cannabis card in other states?

New Mexico accepts physical medical cards from out-of-state medical marijuana programs.

The following states and territories recognize New Mexico medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Delaware
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application process with the state program.

Minor patient information

Minor patients will require a parent/legal guardian as a caregiver.

If the patient is under 18, the Parental/Guardianship Consent Form must be completed during the state application.

Minor Patient Registration (State):

• If the caregiver is not the minor’s parent guardianship documentation must be provided.
• The Birth Certificate is required for the Patient Application; a Driver’s License or State Issued Identification will be required for the Caregiver application.
• The Parental/Guardianship Consent Form will need to be completed, in addition to signing the application.
• Parents can sign on the minor’s behalf.

Patient registration instructions (minors, page 14) can be found here