ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – While New Mexico’s recreational cannabis sales boom, the state’s medical cannabis industry is shrinking, at least on paper.
Data from the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) shows that the number of actively enrolled patients decreased by about 20,000 people over the last year. In April of 2023, there were over 100,000 active patients in the system; by April of 2024, there were 80,186 active patients.
A large share of the decline in enrollees are patients who were qualified to receive medical cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. The number of patients listing chronic pain as a qualifying condition also decreased.
Data from the state’s Cannabis Control Division (CCD) shows that the total value of medical cannabis sales has decreased since recreational cannabis sales became legal in the state, and recreational sales have increased over that time. It’s entirely possible that some medical patients decided to purchase their cannabis recreationally instead of through a medical card.
So, if cannabis is legal for recreational adult users in New Mexico, why go through the process of getting medical approval? The two programs – medical and recreational – offer some similarities, but they have key differences as well. For example, individuals between the ages of 18 to 20, are eligible to receive cannabis on doctors’ orders, but to purchase recreational cannabis, adults must be at least 21. More information on the differences between the two programs can be found at this link.
