New Mexico cannabis sales topped $40 million in December, with recreational pot sales totaling a whopping $28 million, a record high.
Medical cannabis sales were also up – over $1,000,000 – from $14 million in November to over $15 million, according to figures released by the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (NMCCD). The uptick in December’s statewide medical marijuana sales reverses the downward trend that has been experienced since August.
The acting director of the NMCCD Andrew Vallejos told the Albuquerque Journal, “I don’t know exactly what attributed to certainly the increase both in medical and recreational, as a bump up in December, but it was kind of surprising to us to see how robust those numbers were.” … “What I’m encouraged by is the fact that it means a steady cash flow for [licensed cannabis businesses] to stay open and to make a profit.”
The Cannabis Industry Important to Cities Like Hobbs
Such businesses are especially important to cities like Hobbs, where data confirms that sales have been high each month since the inception of New Mexico’s legalized industry. In December legalized sales in Hobbs were a record-breaking $1.7 million.
Executive Director of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce Ben Lewinger said that December figures are “…very impressive on a statewide, macro level, but I think what’s more indicative of the early success of this industry is when you look at smaller, rural communities [like those in Lea County].” … Strong sales mean “…tax revenue for those municipalities and their counties, as well as for the state.”
Acting Director Vallejos added, “I don’t want to pretend like cannabis is going to be oil and gas — the state isn’t going to rely on cannabis profits to fund massive amount[s] for schools — but as we diversify our economy, it’s just another arrow in the quiver.”
History of the Legalized Sale of Adult-Use Marijuana in New Mexico
In April 2021, adult-use marijuana was legalized in New Mexico after Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Cannabis Regulation Act. A year later in April 2022 regulated dispensaries opened for licensed sales.
An article posted at HighTimes.com states that data released by the state indicates that 2022 sales of recreational cannabis totaled more than $214 million, and 2022 medical marijuana sales totaled approximately $144.2 million. “At the current rate of sales, recreational marijuana sales in New Mexico are likely to top $300 million in the first full year of regulated adult-use cannabis sales,” states HighTimes.
Other figures show that medical-use marijuana patients spend “more per visit” than recreational-use clients. During the last nine months the average sale in the recreational arena was $52.57 compared to $45.31 for medical-use pot.
Medical Cannabis Program Adds Anxiety Disorder
The Medical Cannabis Program now outlines 29 qualifying medical conditions. Effective January 1, 2023, the Cannabis Medical Advisory Board added Anxiety Disorder to the list of the program’s qualifying medical conditions. According to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) anxiety disorder “…affects as much as 25 percent of New Mexicans.”
After being unanimously approved as a qualifying medical condition by the advisory board in early 2022, NMDOH Acting Cabinet Secretary Dr. David R. Scrase formally gave his seal of approval to the advisory board’s decision just before the end of the year.
About adding anxiety disorder to the list of qualifying conditions, NMDOH Medical Cannabis Director Dr. Dominick Zurlo said, “…we expand that toolbox available to the medical providers and most especially to the patients to be able to treat their condition.”
Dr. Zurlo reminds the public that those enrolled in the state’s medical cannabis program “…do not need to pay the tax that is currently on recreational cannabis, which is approximately 20%.”
Although the medical cannabis “tax free” benefit is attractive, former New Mexico Democratic State Senator and Albuquerque attorney Jacob Candelaria told KOAT 7 Action News that it is not enough. Candelaria said, “The sad reality is that more and more low-income New Mexicans who are dealing with debilitating health conditions, including psychological conditions, are just not able to afford their medicine. If you don’t have the money [it] doesn’t really matter that marginal cost of tax.”
Medical Conditions that Qualify for New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program
In addition to Anxiety Disorder, 28 other medical conditions qualify for the state’s Medical Cannabis Program. Alzheimer’s Disease, Cancer, Crohn’s Disease, Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord, Epilepsy, Hospice Care, Glaucoma, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, in addition to 19 other conditions, qualify. A complete list of qualifying conditions is available at the NMDOH website.
The Medical Cannabis Program is open to all qualifying New Mexico residents. Applications/Renewals should be filled out by a licensed healthcare provider/practitioner and signed by both the provider/practitioner and the patient. The program identifies a provider/practitioner as “…medical personnel licensed in New Mexico to prescribe and administer drugs that are subject to the Controlled Substance Act.”
Medical Cannabis cards are free, and New Mexico Workman’s Compensation covers the cost of medical cannabis within the following guidelines – “up to 230 grams per calendar quarter … at a cost of up to $11.02 per gram.”
Online Access Available for Medical Cannabis Program Identification Card
The Medical Cannabis Program internet patient portal “…allows patients online access to their Medical Cannabis Program identification card, as well as a wide range of program assistance for both new and returning patients,” states a recent NMDOH news release.
According to the NMDOH, the updated patient portal is part of the department’s ongoing goal of streamlining the application process, reducing the amount of paper being used and being “…more environmentally friendly by moving to a fully online enrollment system.”
