New Mexico puts medical marijuana cards on hold for non-residents despite judge’s order

New Mexico health officials have refused to issue medical marijuana identification cards to out-of-state residents despite a judge’s recent order. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the state Department of Health has asked the judge to reconsider a ruling that New Mexico must allow non-residents to participate in its medical cannabis program. Health officials say the ruling is not final, because it could be held pending an appeal and that they are waiting until the legal dispute is resolved. But an attorney says the department should be held in contempt of court. State attorneys say allowing non-residents to participate would encourage the illegal transport of cannabis across state lines. Officials say the ruling signed into law this year was a simple drafting error and was not aimed at granting out-of-state residents ID cards.