Medical cannabis regulations discussed at public hearing
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) hosted a public hearing today in Santa Fe regarding proposed rule changes to its Medical Cannabis Program, addressing a variety of issues including product packaging for patients, reciprocity for out-of-state medical patients, and additional testing of both cannabis and the products derived from it.
Today’s hearing regarding the NMAC Proposed Repeal and Amendments - 2019 - MCP - Public Notice was impacted by a two-hour inclement weather delay for all of Santa Fe’s state government offices.
“Although it was still a good turn-out from the public, I want to assure we receive all the feedback and comment to have the best rules possible,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Kathy Kunkel. “For that reason, we will schedule a second hearing in January to assure all voices will be heard.”
The date for the planned January hearing will be announced when scheduled.
Today’s hearing discussed the second set of proposed rule changes this year alone It addressed both statutory mandates enacted by the Legislature earlier this year in Senate Bill 406 and additional rules to include:
- Requirements for testing of both dried cannabis and cannabis-derived products such as edibles and other items. It is proposed they be tested for the presence of heavy metals, certain pesticides, potency and moisture content.
- New requirements for Medical Cannabis Program manufactures – those that create the cannabis-derived products using dried cannabis provided by the program’s licensed non-profit producers. Proposed requirements range from a rise in application fees to proof of security and law enforcement notification systems.
- Prohibition of certain additives to products intended to be consumed by inhalation, such as vaping cartridges. The list includes vitamin E acetate which is a Vitamin E Acetate Implicated in Vaping-Related Lung Injury in the United States.
- Preventing of packaging displaying content (such as cartoon characters) that may lead to children mistaking a medical product for candy or ordinary food.
- Creation of cannabis consumption areas to be operated at approved dispensary locations.
- Creation of reciprocity rules allowing visiting medical cannabis patients from other U.S. states to enter and purchase medicine in New Mexico dispensaries.
As of October 31st, the NMDOH Medical Cannabis Program had more than 78,000 patients. More information about the program and qualifying health conditions can be found online at the Medical Cannabis General Information page.
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