New Mexico marijuana enrollment above 40,000 patients

The medical marijuana industry in New Mexico has grown substantially since being organized in 2007.

The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/2pDt2uW ) about 8,000 New Mexico residents have obtained a medical marijuana license since Jan. 1, which brings the statewide total to more than 40,000 patients. The amount of patients has increased by 84 percent since March 2016.

The number of dispensaries has also increased. The statewide total is at 56 after being at just 36 in January 2016.

New Mexico Department of Health data also shows first quarter sales this year topped $19 million, up 91 percent throughout the same period in 2016.

State Rep. Bill Rehm says he thinks the system is being abused. But R. Greenleaf & Associates Director Willie Ford says while that might be true, most people are using the system for legitimate medical conditions.