New Mexico State Health Secretary Rejects New Marijuana Recommendations

The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Advisory Board recommended that the state add opiate addiction to its qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. But the State Health Secretary, Lynn Gallagher, rejected the recommendation. Her reasoning was for lack of scientific research.

The lack of research refers to both those with opiate addiction and medical marijuana working for pain relief, according to U.S. News & World Report. She also noted a lack of research regarding marijuana’s effects on those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.  If opiate addiction would have been permitted, those with heroin and narcotic painkiller addictions would have been allowed to use medical marijuana.

But Gallagher wasn’t done with her rejections there, she also rejected allowing tele-medicine for medical marijuana doctor certification evaluations.