cannabisnews.com: N.M. Medical Pot Application Process Slow, Hazy

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  N.M. Medical Pot Application Process Slow, Hazy

Posted by CN Staff on April 07, 2011 at 10:21:25 PT
By Zelie Pollon 
Source: Reuters 

Santa Fe, N.M. -- Pot growers in New Mexico are suing the state, saying applications to distribute medical marijuana are being approved too slowly.Since New Mexico began accepting applications in 2009, 116 non-profit organizations have filed to dispense medical marijuana and 25 have been given a license, said Paul Livingston, a lawyer for the six organizations suing Governor Susana Martinez, the state health department and the state.
The number of licensed distributors "does not come close to meeting the needs" of more than 3,000 patients who have requested medical cannabis, Livingston said."Now patients either have to do without medical marijuana or they buy it elsewhere -- from an illegal source," he said. It's hard to see where the focus is on a patient and the patient's suffering."The suit filed last week says approvals have been arbitrary, inconsistent and far too slow. Most applicants haven't heard back, and those who are not accepted are given no explanation, the lawsuit says.State officials acknowledge the process can be lengthy, mostly because they allow applicants the opportunity to redo incomplete applications, said Dominick Zurlo, harm reduction manager with the Medical Cannabis Program."This is uncharted territory," Zurlo said. "It's not a quick process, and we're focusing on quality, not quantity, for the long term."Applicants must form a non-profit organization and board, submit "business trade secrets and proprietary information" and pay a $1,000 application fee.Charlie Kokesh filed his application in October, inspired by his son Adam, who developed post traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq with the Marines. Kokesh says medical marijuana has helped dissolve his son's nightmares and moderate his chronic pain."Adam's very positive experience with pot changed my attitude. We decided to get a license to reach out to other veterans," said Kokesh, who said he has not heard back from the state on his application.Former Governor Bill Richardson signed a bill in 2007 legalizing the use of medical marijuana for "debilitating medical conditions" such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV or epilepsy.Fifteen other states and the District of Columbia have some sort of medical cannabis program, Livingston said.Some applicants involved in the lawsuit have waited two years, Livingston said."It's not like they're in limbo for two years," Zurlo said. "We've given a lot of feedback. It may just not be what they want to hear."Editing by Corrie MacLaggan and Jerry NortonSource: Reuters (Wire)Author:  Zelie PollonPublished: April 7, 2011Copyright: 2011 Thomson ReutersCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml 

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Comment #10 posted by Sam Adams on April 07, 2011 at 16:20:43 PT
terrible
"Applicants must form a non-profit organization and board, submit "business trade secrets and proprietary information" and pay a $1,000 application fee."Welcome to the Communist Soviet American Federation! Stalin welcomes you!
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on April 07, 2011 at 13:21:26 PT
Hope
They moved it but didn't remove it thankfully.
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on April 07, 2011 at 13:17:55 PT
Cancer.gov
On page four from where Dongenero posted there is the anti tumor effect information, which is what I thought they had removed.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page4
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on April 07, 2011 at 13:16:23 PT
Hope
They might be upset but he was always known to be involved with the Mafia. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by Hope on April 07, 2011 at 13:11:04 PT
Kinnear and Holmes
I've been very impressed at their work on the Kennedys project. The whole thing has been very impressive. After last night, I was thinking that the Sinatra family may be upset, to say the least.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on April 07, 2011 at 12:00:34 PT

Hope
I didn't think Greg Kinnear and Katie Holmes could do a good job but they really are.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 07, 2011 at 11:59:21 PT

Hope
Change is happening. Some of the changes make things more complicated but in time things should finally become more uniform and acceptable. That's how I see it.PS: I am so impressed with The Kennedy's Series. What an amazing movie.
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on April 07, 2011 at 11:52:22 PT

Progress
We're making progress, there's no doubt. It all seems impossibly slow sometimes, but the information being posted at cancer.gov and the AMA's recently revised stance are huge. Progress is being made.It's like Runruff said yesterday, "Stay the course"... and we are, and things are changing for the better... for the truth.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 07, 2011 at 10:45:04 PT

dongenero
Thank you! 
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Comment #1 posted by dongenero on April 07, 2011 at 10:34:34 PT

cancer.gov 
More from cancer.GOV, about anti-tumor effects of cannabis below:http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page4Below this is a link to the first cannabis page, under "complimentary and alternative medicine".
Just hit the "next section" link at the bottom to go to subsequent pages. There is lots of info here and from quickly browsing, it seems quite honest about medical uses and lists supporting studies for medical efficacy.Starting page:http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page1
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