New Mexico medical marijuana pot shortage caused by high fees and low plant counts
Reading an article today about New Mexico and the recent changes to the medical marijuana law in the state. Being a border to Mexico has to be hard enough in the “war on crime”, without added pressures. The news is reporting patients having a hard time acquiring medication within the regulations of the state, I have to wonder why this could be. I guess a $30,000 annual fee and small plant limit on the commercial growers is meant to accomplish something, I am just not sure what.
I have to ask myself if there is a better way? Perhaps taxing a recreational user instead of the medical would make more sense and certainly cents. But until that happens, plant counts, fees and odd regulations will continue to hinder patients acquiring the medicine they need.
Since the program started in 2007, the state has faced problems ensuring a steady supply.
“What we heard from patients is that they are still having trouble getting the medicine,” Vigil said.
The new annual fees will be based on how long a grower has operated, ranging from $5,000 for producers licensed for less than a year up to $30,000 for those licensed for more than three years. Until now, other agency programs had financed medical marijuana.
Meanwhile, in another change that was welcomed by advocacy groups, Health Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil agreed to license eight new growers, boosting the state total to 25 in a push to increase plant production and serve more patients.
There are more than 3,000 medical marijuana patients in New Mexico, including about 1,400 who are licensed to produce their own supply.
To qualify for New Mexico’s medical marijuana program, patients must have a physician certify they have one of 16 qualifying conditions. Vigil rejected a proposal to list depression as a condition, going against an advisory board’s recommendation.
Read the entire article at http://www.cannabisnews.org/united-states-cannabis-news/new-mexico-oks-fees-for-medical-marijuana-program/
