cannabisnews.com: NM Finalizes Rules for Medical Marijuana NM Finalizes Rules for Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on January 09, 2009 at 16:42:17 PT By Sue Major Holmes, Associated Press Writer Source: Associated Press Albuquerque, NM -- The state Department of Health is accepting applications from nonprofit businesses that want to produce and distribute medical marijuana to certified patients in New Mexico. Qualified patients also can apply to produce medical marijuana for themselves. The department announced Friday it has finalized regulations for identification cards and a production and distribution system under the state medical marijuana program that went into effect in 2007. "Now patients now can get medical cannabis for their chronic health conditions in a way that is safe and legal under state law," Health Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil said. The law allows people to be certified to use marijuana for pain or other symptoms of debilitating illnesses such as cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV-AIDS and certain spinal cord injuries. The agency has approved 207 applications from chronically ill patients to receive medical marijuana. A spokeswoman for the department, Deborah Busemeyer, said it has had inquiries—but no applications—about the distribution and production process. The health secretary will determine the number and location of licenses. "There's a lot of hoops a nonprofit would have to jump through. ... That's because we want a quantity of medical cannabis that is sufficient and a quality product," Busemeyer said. The regulations also have a section to protect a patient in the program from arrest or prosecution by the state of New Mexico. In August 2007, agents with a regional drug task force raided the home of a southeastern New Mexico man certified to use medical marijuana, and seized several marijuana plants from him. The regulations let the Health Department verify for state law enforcement officers that someone is eligible to have marijuana under the program. "We have done that, and then there has not been an issue," Busemeyer said. The rules also allow the state to monitor to make sure people are following the law—for example, that a patient licensed to grow marijuana for personal use has only the amount allowed. Public comments prompted some changes before the regulations became final. The department revised rules on verifying applicants' information and changed application fees for patients who apply to produce marijuana, allowing the state to waive the fee depending on a person's income. The final rules also allow patients to possess more than 6 ounces of medical marijuana if a medical practitioner explains why a larger dose is needed. The law that established the program lets people petition to add other medical conditions. The Health Department's Medical Advisory Board plans a a public hearing in Albuquerque on Jan. 15 to review petitions for additional conditions. The department also will put together an annual report to the health secretary about whether patients' needs are being met and whether a state-run production and distribution facility might be needed. "We wanted to put something in our regulations that provided for an assessment of how the program is working," Busemeyer said. Officials want to make sure it not only meets patient needs, but also protects public safety, she said. On the Net: Medical marijuana program: http://www.nmhealth.org/marijuana.htmlSource: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Sue Major Holmes, Associated Press WriterPublished: January 9, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Associated PressRelated Articles:State Finalizes Medical Marijuana Ruleshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24418.shtml NM Not Alone in Lacking Marijuana Dispensarieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24305.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #50 posted by FoM on January 15, 2009 at 13:16:43 PT Video: Panel Considers Cannabis January 15, 2009http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/health/health_krqe_albuquerque_panel_considers_cannabis_for_more_uses_200901151216 [ Post Comment ] Comment #49 posted by FoM on January 15, 2009 at 08:01:57 PT New Mexico Finalizes Rules For Medical Cannabis New Mexico Finalizes Rules For Medical Cannabis Distribution System, ID Card ProgramJanuary 15, 2009URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/135606.php [ Post Comment ] Comment #48 posted by FoM on January 12, 2009 at 13:11:23 PT News Article From Salem-News.com DEA Rejects Judge's Ruling, Quashes Medical Marijuana Research ProjectJanuary 12, 2009http://www.salem-news.com/articles/january122009/dea_meddling_1-12-09.php [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by FoM on January 11, 2009 at 19:09:31 PT A Dog's Life Hope, no matter what dog they pick it will be one lucky dog and two happy children. [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by FoM on January 11, 2009 at 19:04:43 PT Hope I don't know about them shedding but all dogs shed I think. Even Weimaraners shed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by Hope on January 11, 2009 at 18:56:12 PT Some people, it seems, are likely to call all dogs, "Hounds"... whether they are or not.I do find it difficult to believe those dogs don't shed. Specially the one with the Labrador blood. I'm pretty sure the sheddingest dog I've ever owned was a yellow lab. [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by FoM on January 11, 2009 at 18:25:13 PT Hope Obama was wrong today. He called the one dog they might get a hound. They aren't hounds but water dogs. A hound bays and a dog barks if I remember correctly. Both types are really cute I think.Obama Choice: Labradoodle or a Portuguese Water Doghttp://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-11-obama-dog_N.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Hope on January 11, 2009 at 17:59:21 PT Hey, Hempity... Good to hear from you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by FoM on January 11, 2009 at 17:41:17 PT Hiya Hempity It's so good to see you. My happiest days were spent in the early days of Marihemp before it was Marihemp. All my dreams came to reality because of that web site and the people like you, Ron Bennett and others that I met there. I first found the forum in 97. Please link to CNews. I would feel honored. Thank you for asking about Stick. It will make him smile. The hard part of doing CNews is I feel much more confined and cautious of what I say since I know this site is read by pros and cons. I didn't feel that way on the old forum. We hadn't had 9/11 yet either and that changed everything. I hope you are doing well. Love ya fella!Keep On Keepin' On as we always said. [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by hempity on January 11, 2009 at 17:02:38 PT Saying high High all you lovely folks.Glad to see you all here and spreading the good word. Tell Stick to get better FoM, it ain't time to go yet.God bless New Mexico.Bought a new website,http://www.thetruthabouthemp.com and it has a discussion forum.Would like to make it like the old Marihemp. Know anyone from the old site that wants and has time to mod?Also FoM, is it O.K. to link to your site?Be happy for no reason The Truth About Hemp [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by FoM on January 11, 2009 at 06:23:45 PT fight_4_freedom That is a good song. Thanks for telling people about CNews. Soon we will find out who Obama appoints as the drug czar and we'll know what direction we will be going. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 10, 2009 at 22:23:46 PT I love this song and I must post it again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJcI1FrbYlk&NR=1If You're Out There - John LegendI also love this video along with it because that movement and their struggles reminds me of our own. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 10, 2009 at 21:23:53 PT By the way I suggested C-News to many people as the place to get all the latest cannabis news and good activist discussion. So hopefully we'll get some more posters :) [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 10, 2009 at 21:14:19 PT This Is Definitely Good News I was very happy to see this tonight. We are making progress. I just returned from our first quarter MINORML meeting. We had a good old time. More than 50 people packed into a wonderful resort right on a beautiful lake. There could have been closer to 75, but some were scattered from here to there, coming and going. All kinds of people are coming out of the woodwork now that we passed this law. It was a very enlightening meeting of the minds. I met a few prominent activists that I have never had the pleasure of meeting before. There was just this amazing vibe flowing through the room, bouncing from one person to the next. A bunch of beautiful people joining together as one to fight for their freedom. So I had an extremely refreshing and exciting day.I hope you all enjoyed yours as well.ONE LOVE [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by FoM on January 10, 2009 at 17:27:47 PT E_Johnson I noticed they ordered more tests on my husband this time. Maybe Veterans will get a little better care soon. I wish they would test my husband for agent orange since that is what he hauled in Vietnam and handled but they never make an appointment for him. I wish they would do something besides a basic urine test for diabetes too but they don't. I'd be happy to see a test for HepC that matters rather then only checking the liver enzyme levels or something like that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by Storm Crow on January 10, 2009 at 17:14:00 PT Comment # 29 WhoooooHoooo! Big city newspaper and in TEXAS, too! (Wonder if my step-sister will see it?) I don't know who MTH is, who posted the link to the list, but THANK YOU whoever you are! The more people who see what cannabis can do, the better! [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by E_Johnson on January 10, 2009 at 17:10:04 PT FoM that's a great idea It should be possible to accomplish that. Maybe someone should start a campaign to petition Obama's new Veterans appointee.Going to war is a horrible thing to ask of a person. Whether the war is right or wrong, we can't short veterans on after-care. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by FoM on January 10, 2009 at 16:25:34 PT Hope It would be nice to be able to have tests done locally. A stress test should be able to be done in most hospitals I would think. We have a local hospital less then 20 miles from here. Going up by Lake Erie in the winter can be very hard to drive in because of the lake effect snow. We have a very old car so pushing it isn't something we like to do either. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 16:10:12 PT And maybe it's time for veterans to be able to get their health care at any hospital or clinic they choose, near or far. Why not? [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 16:08:13 PT FoM "I wish Veterans could have tests done at a local hospital. That would be so much easier."That's probably that way to discourage many people from having the tests. If you have no one to help you get there...then what? They know it. And they DO care... about the money. It could rather easily be done, it seems to me like. We're not talking about millions and millions or even tens of thousands of hospitals. How much lab equipment would Microsoft sponsor for these hospitals? I don't understand it. Not even thinking about the gazillions of dollars the government actually does spend on totally stupid and unnecessary stuff. Just look at all the surplus military equipment given away to law enforcement. Maybe that stuff should be recycled into funds for veteran's health care. Something could be done. There surely are organizations and individuals who would take it on as projects to purchase the necessary medical equipment for these hospitals. Shouldn't our hospitals devoted to veteran care be true State of the Art, top of the line hospitals, if any are?The accountants have more power than the doctors and nurses in every hospital and clinic ... but the doctors, nurses, patients, and other people could talk to people and no matter how much time they spend doctoring and nursing... they know people. They could write letters. I don't know why they wouldn't speak out about the situation.Stuff would be donated to the individual hospitals in a hurry if the right people, like maybe, Bill Gates, were made to know about the situation, I feel sure. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by FoM on January 10, 2009 at 14:58:26 PT EJ and Hope What a movie. Stick never saw all of it before. We are fortunate to live in our country as bad as it seems sometimes. Stick is feeling better and thank you. He gets really sick if he has to fast. If he fasts he is sick in bed for a full day. We just don't know why. You have to drive a long way to the VA hospital so stress can be one of the causes. Hopefully we will learn more about his HepC with these tests. They did a chest xray and then we will get a notice in the mail for when we have to go far far away for a stress test. It's about 300 miles round trip. I wish Veterans could have tests done at a local hospital. That would be so much easier. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 14:51:50 PT Hey! El Paso has been introduced to Granny Storm Crow's list. Way to go! [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 14:44:44 PT Quickly glancing at a comment that included a list that included the names of Dr. Andrew Weil, and Dr. Dean Edell. They'd be good choices for Surgeon Generals. Well Edell would, if you actually have to be a surgeon.The Surgeon General's job is as a spokesman. Both of those gentlemen are very well spoken.And Weil's got the beard. That has to count for something. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 14:37:46 PT That thread over at the El Paso Times is still growing.http://www.topix.net/forum/source/el-paso-times/T7785RMT5JOEBVCA9/p37There have been some brilliant posts. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 14:28:37 PT If you get a chance you ought to go check out that video Pete has posted under Weekend Fun.http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by E_Johnson on January 10, 2009 at 14:28:30 PT Sad movie I just saw Ninth Company, about a group of young Russians who get sent to Afghanistan in 1988.I was sobbing out loud at the end because that was such a useless war and by 1988 just about everyone in the Soviet leadership had admitted it but they still had to send troops in to secure the withdrawal.It's not in any sense a definitive look at that war, but it captures the experience of the 19 year olds who were ordered to fight it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by E_Johnson on January 10, 2009 at 14:09:53 PT FoM a funny scene in Dr. Zhivago The train scene with Klaus Kinski in chains, calling everyone lickspittles and claiming he's the only free man on the train.It's not in the novel BTW. I'm glad Stick feels better. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 12:21:15 PT Stick Hope you get well soon. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on January 10, 2009 at 12:18:24 PT Hope We're watching it now. I see more in the movie now too.Stick is feeling better today. He had a bad day yesterday. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 10:37:38 PT Dr. Zhivago That sounds cool.Really, really cool. Very, very cold, in fact. Recalling the train scenes from that movie, and the fact that you're likely surrounded with a similar scene.Brrrrr.And Omar... of course.Speaking of Omar. I hope Stick is feeling better today. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on January 10, 2009 at 09:05:00 PT Hope Glad you liked it. It's icy around here today so we're not going anywhere. I checked Amazon and my movie is in the mailbox. I'll get it later when the ice melts. I bought Dr. Zhivago. It will be a nice night to watch it. I haven't seen it in years and to see it on my big tv with surround sound will be great. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 08:57:03 PT "... like cleaning my house! LOL! " Oh my gosh!You're right!:0) [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 08:55:59 PT Peacemaker I definitely consider myself to be a Peacemaker when there is trouble... and not a harsh or violent "Peacemaker". Love. Patience. Understanding. I try to make that a motto for my life.But the Peacemakers sometimes get a bop on the nose in these things, too. I am... of course, talking about stepping into those threads that seem to be suddenly on fire, in El Paso and Dallas.I think it's important. Blessings to anyone who steps into the fray. I notice Kap and OverwhelmSam and a few others landing a few good ones over on the El Paso thread. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on January 10, 2009 at 08:55:50 PT Hope I know you are a gentle person. I can say what I believe to any person who wants to know. If they don't seem interested that's the end of it for me. I find something more productive to do with my time like cleaning my house! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 08:43:19 PT I know what you mean. And I think you know I am a very gentle person.It's what I see and all to often, experience. Of course your realize, I'm speaking of verbal throw downs, so far, entirely, and trying to talk to people reasonably.I don't believe in hollering people down or being an asshole about things. A lot of people do, though.If I could get the dang comments on that editorial, I'd know more what was going on there. What little I saw looked pretty civil. They are, after all, in the presence of death and a victim of the "War" they love so much. You know how those kinds of conversations can go.It's not easy.And, 'lo... the many, many times I've kept my pearls deep in my pocket... or literally, understandings, deep in my heart, for the very reasons you mention. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on January 10, 2009 at 08:22:18 PT Hope I have always felt that to be a strong person I must be able to turn and walk away. If I allow myself to get into a fight with others I feel I almost betray the direction I am traveling. It has taken me years to get it. I don't know if that makes sense. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 08:09:48 PT Ugly throw downs... Yup... I've limped off to the ladies room and squalled after a few of these drug war brawls. I've had my nose bloodied. It's another reason being a hopeful reformer of these laws isn't "fun". First they call you names. Then they call you names some more. Then they kick you.Ow.About those of us that are beginning to worry many of us won't live to see the end of this cannabis prohibition debacle. You're still alive! See and participate in as much of it, whatever is important to you, as you can! That's what I tell myself when I start thinking about that. Willie Nelson. Bob Dylan. Neil Young. They're still alive... today... and we're still alive... today... this minute.HempWorld, if what I believe is true, we will all be together again one day as part of THE LIGHT that I think... is.It's hard. It's so hard. Blessings and Peace... Showers of Blessings, like in the old song, on you HempWorld. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 07:08:07 PT "more hate then a willingness to reason" That's true. That's why the "Throw down" and the wholesale "Brawl" are such popular conversational styles here in Texas.Once you jump in the fray and get your nose bloodied and deliver a few black eyes here and there and it's all over with, and participants start limping and crawling away, occasionally one or two, in nursing their wounds, will say to themselves, maybe that guy that busted my nose was right. I like that guy.Lol! It's stupid I know, but in this sort of "Down under" place... some times you get your best friend by beating the living hell out of them first. I try to keep the beatings and black eyes and busted noses figurative... if at all possible.But don't go in a place likely to brawl unless you have a big stick... and in this case... the big stick is knowing what you know and knowing it well. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Hope on January 10, 2009 at 06:56:08 PT Dust speaking here.... Let's get in some prohibitionist eyes! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on January 10, 2009 at 06:41:30 PT The GCW I don't read articles from that paper. I don't understand the anger and I will not waste my time being upset over something that is more hate then a willingness to reason. There's a scripture that says we shouldn't cast our pearls before swine and I try to follow that advice. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by The GCW on January 10, 2009 at 06:28:50 PT OverwhelmSam, I haven't read the comments but the article angered Me.US TX: Editorial: Drug Users Share the Blame in Officer's Death http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n027/a02.html?397I hope someone gets a LTE published pointing out how their editorial is incorrect... I have alread wrote to that newspaper recently and will not even try...Unregulated drugs created a deadly reality unlike regulated drugs. The sequel to prohibition... [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by OverwhelmSam on January 10, 2009 at 04:03:15 PT Another Juicy Debate In the Dallas Morning News, article states drugs are reason police officer shot by drug dealer, posters say drug prohibition caused the police officer's death. And then there's the extremist who say smoking marijuana equals murder. LOLhttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-mourn_09edi.State.Edition1.25459db.htmlGo Texas! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on January 09, 2009 at 20:47:18 PT John Tyler Thank you. That's all we are really. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by John Tyler on January 09, 2009 at 20:15:31 PT re#4 Dust in the wind All We Are Is Dust In The Wind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkbdP7sq0w8 [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on January 09, 2009 at 19:59:28 PT Thanks The GCW I voted and currently 72% said yes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by The GCW on January 09, 2009 at 19:54:50 PT POLL Do you believe possession of small amounts of marijuana should be decriminalized, as Massachusetts has done?YESNOOTHERhttp://www.middletownpress.com/opinion/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 09, 2009 at 19:00:09 PT HempWorld I'm sorry that you are really ill. My health isn't what it was anymore. My husband is sick in bed after having blood work at the VA hospital today. I know that I might not be on this earth when marijuana is finally legalized but I don't look at it as something upsetting. I want to be a part of it while I am able. That's all we can hope for. We are just one speck of dust in the wind. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by HempWorld on January 09, 2009 at 18:18:30 PT Dear FoM, You are saying that probably because you do not suffer from a terminal illness or a very painful (and more so until you meet your maker) condition ...But I sincerely hope you are not in the above camp but I am.Maybe that explains partly my view but I've been in this game for a long time now ... On a mission from God With CannabisNews! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 09, 2009 at 18:11:13 PT HempWorld We can't get discouraged now. I know it's hard but we are making progress. Slowly change is coming. It still might take a long time but we've waited a long time already. I feel we are in a state of suspended animation. We are stuck between an outgoing and incoming Administration. I am just taking a deep breath and waiting to see what the future might hold. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on January 09, 2009 at 18:01:30 PT This seems to be good news ... I don't know why it took them so long, though ... Anyway, have a geat weekend everyone! This keeps my spirit up.If, big if, I've gotten so jaded from all these legislators etc. changing the original INTENT of the voters,that IF the above intent and people are honest and pragmatic they can show the Feds and the whole Nation (and the world at that) that Cannabis is medicine!Is the state Department of Health of New Mexico on a mission from God too or is this another hatch and con job? On a mission from God! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment