New Mexico medical marijuana balloons in just a year, now has 40,000 patients
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. The medical marijuana industry in New Mexico has grown substantially since being organized in 2007.
About 8,000 New Mexico residents have obtained a medical marijuana license since Jan. 1, which brings the statewide total to more than 40,000 patients, the Albuquerque Journal reported. The amount of patients has increased by 84 percent since March 2016.
The number of dispensaries has also increased. The statewide total is at 56 after being at just 36 in January 2016.
In 2015, none of New Mexicos cannabis producers had total receipts that exceeded $1 million. This year, five growers topped $1 million in sales from January through March, alone.
First-quarter sales this year topped $19 million, up 91 percent throughout the same period in 2016, New Mexico Department of Health data shows.
However, some think the industrys growth is a cause for concern. State Rep. Bill Rehm thinks the system is being abused.
I think there are a bunch of people who are obtaining marijuana cards, not for a true medical reason, but ...
