The new guidelines specify that state qualified patients may possess up to six ounces of medical cannabis (or more if authorized by their physician) and/or 16 plants (four mature, 12 immature) in accordance with state law.

To qualify under the law, patients must be registered with the state Department of Health and be must diagnosed by a physician to be suffering from one of the following medical conditions: cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, spinal cord damage, or HIV/AIDS. Any patient in hospice care may also qualify to use medicinal marijuana under state law.

Additional qualifying conditions, including nerve pain, Hepatitis C, and post-traumatic stress syndrome, are awaiting final approval by Department of Health.

State regulations also authorize non-profit facilities to apply with the state to produce and dispense medical cannabis. State licensed producers may grow up to 95 mature plants at one time. The guidelines stipulate, "The non-profit will sell medical cannabis at a consistent unit price and without volume discounts."

To date, no organizations have applied with the state government to cultivate marijuana.

New Mexico lawmakers approved the use of marijuana under a physician’s supervision in 2007. More than 200 patients have since registered with the state Health Department to possess cannabis under state law.

Application information for patients and nonprofit providers is available from the New Mexico Department of Health at: http://www.health.state.nm.us/marijuana.html.