Caregivers

Caregivers are allowed to assist patients with growing their medicine as long as they follow the terms specified in the patient's application for a production license. Registered caregivers are issued cards that protect them from arrest and prosecution for the possession of medical cannabis under New Mexico law. All caregiver applicants are required to undergo background checks before they are approved. DOH website has a packet for caregivers with all needed information and forms. 

Production/Distribution

The production and distribution of medical cannabis is provided by Licensed Non-Profit Producers (LNPP) throughout the state.  A Qualified Patient may also obtain a Personal Production License (PPL) to grow medical cannabis for personal use. The Medical Cannabis Fund was created to allow the Department to utilize fees to fund program expenses.  

There are 23 Licensed Non-Profit Producers (LNPP) serving the Qualified Patients of New Mexico. In October of 2015 twelve more LPPs were selected to expand the program to 35 total. Each LNPP is able to grow up to 150 total mature plants and seedlings at a given time. The Dept. of Health is monitoring the availability of medical cannabis and will notify the public when the need for additional Non-Profit Producers is identified. At that time the application process will be presented. For additional information please review the Licensing Requirements. 

The Personal Production License (PPL) is available for Qualified Patients who wish to produce medical cannabis for personal use only. In most cases there is a $30.00 non-refundable fee required with the application. The Personal Production Application is found on DOH website. 

Training Requirements

The training requirements as set forth in the New Mexico Administrative Code are as follows:

I. Private entity policies and procedures: The private non-profit entity shall develop, implement and maintain on the premises policies and procedures relating to the medical cannabis program, which shall at a minimum include the following:

(1) distribution criteria for qualified patients or primary caregivers appropriate for cannabis services,to include clear identifiable photocopies of the registry identification card of every qualified patient or primarycaregiver served by the private entity;

(2) alcohol and drug-free work place policies and procedures;

(3) employee policies and procedures to address the following requirements:

(a) job descriptions or employment contracts developed for every employee that identify duties, authority, responsibilities, qualifications and supervision; and

(b) training materials concerning adherence to state confidentiality laws;

(4) personnel records for each employee that include an application for employment and a record of any disciplinary action taken;

(5) on-site training curricula, or contracts with outside resources capable of meeting employee training needs, to include, at a minimum, the following topics:

(a) professional conduct, ethics and patient confidentiality; and

(b) informational developments in the field of medical use of cannabis;

(6) employee safety and security training materials provided to each employee at the time of his or her initial appointment, to include:

(a) training in the proper use of security measures and controls that have been adopted; and

(b) specific procedural instructions regarding how to respond to an emergency, including robbery or a violent accident;

(7) a general written security policy, to address at a minimum:

(a) safety and security procedures;

(b) personal safety; and

(c) crime prevention techniques;

(8) training documentation prepared for each employee and statements signed by employees indicating the topics discussed (to include names and titles of presenters) and the date, time and place the employee received said training; and

(9) a written policy regarding the right of the private entity to refuse service.