Thousands Use Medical Marijuana In New Mexico

Some consider marijuana a natural supplement to chemotherapy, a reducer for chronic pain and an appetite stimulant. Thousands in New Mexico legally use it for these, among other, medical purposes.

Dr. Oz discussed the effects of the controversial medical cannabis on his show Tuesday.

Cancer, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or chronic pain are the most common qualifiers for medical marijuana, a drug prescribed only by doctors.

The process is confidential but recent data shows a lot of people are using it.

Recreationally, it is illegal but medically, marijuana is legal in 15 states, including New Mexico.

According to the Department of Health, 3,460 people are currently enrolled in New Mexico?s medical cannabis program.

Recent figures indicate 295 people in Dona Ana County are legally smoking weed. From that group, 123 users are also licensed to grow the plant in their own home.

But the program?s manager said patients have to follow a strict application process before they can produce it for their own medical use.

“Someone becomes eligible to produce if they just apply for it, they have to submit a plan that basically outlines how they’re going to keep themselves safe as well as the medical cannabis,? Dominick Zurlo, with the New Mexico Department of Health in Santa Fe, said. ?We don?t want somebody growing it in their front window box because then that means that anybody walking by can turn around and see what’s happening there or can actually try to break in, which puts the patient at risk as well as them losing their medication.”

The application process is intended to curtail abuse of marijuana, Zurlo said.

The license fee only costs $15. For individuals with an income less than $43,000, the license is free; but Zurlo said, the benefits are also priceless for those who really need it.