February 11 As New Mexico s virtual Roundhouse approaches the midpoint for the 60-day session, discourse over legalizing cannabis legislation has yet to catch fire. A Saturday hearing in the House Health and Human Services Committee could spark the debate. A handful of bills floating around the Capitol would make New Mexico the 16th state to fully legalize cannabis for adult use. Though the proposals have some common features all axe gross receipts taxes for patients in the medical program, for one conflicts remain regarding: how taxes will be levied and where revenue will be directed; whether production will be regulated via a plant cap for producers;
New Mexico Red-Flag Gun Law Seldom Used To Withdraw Firearms -
By Morgan Lee Associated Press
Records show a red-flag gun law aimed at removing firearms from people who pose a danger to themselves or others has been applied just four times across New Mexico since it went into effect in May.
The Administrative Office of the Courts confirmed Tuesday that petitions for extreme risk firearm protection orders had been filed through January in Eddy, Santa Fe, Taos and San Juan counties.
Three resulted in one-year court orders for the surrender of firearms with one order later rescinded.
A similar law in Florida has been used thousands of times since it was enacted in response to a mass shooting at a high school in 2018.
Press release content from Globe Newswire. The AP news staff was not involved in its creation.
New Mexico Medical Cannabis Industry Surpasses $200M in Patient Sales in 2020
Ultra HealthFebruary 8, 2021 GMT
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Feb. 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Combined patient sales from the 34 licensed producers in New Mexico’s Medical Cannabis Program totaled $203 million in 2020, an increase of $74 million or 57% over reported patient sales in 2019. Ultra Health, New Mexico’s #1 Cannabis Company, led all operators with nearly $40 million in patient sales, 71% greater than its nearest competitor.
Patient enrollment grew by 30% during the same period, from 80,257 patients as of December 31, 2019, to 104,655 patients as of December 31, 2020, according to data published by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). The 24,398 patient enrollment gain in 2020 was the single largest jump since the inception of the program.
By Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press
Officials at some of New Mexico s largest hospitals said Monday they are holding out hope that vaccine supplies will catch up with demand as state health officials confirmed that some pharmacies would begin receiving shipments this week.
More than 590,000 residents have registered online to be vaccinated, but health care officials and the state Health Department acknowledge that demand is far outpacing current supplies. Some older New Mexicans and those with pre-existing health concerns that put them at greater risk have waiting for weeks.
State health officials have acknowledged that residents in search of vaccines have been going to Texas, where individual clinics have been vaccinating people on a first-come, first-serve basis.