Medical marijuana cards are the starting point that allows residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to safely and legally obtain medical marijuana. Sharon Schaaf of Mountain Desert Health, offers assistance in securing medical marijuana cards, and booking a visit is a simple process with online and phone options.

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What is medical marijuana?

Marijuana is a plant that contains more than 100 different chemical compounds. These compounds are called cannabinoids, and researchers find that some provide medicinal effects.

The most common cannabinoids used in medical applications are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These chemical compounds are available in many forms, including edible and topical products.

Medical marijuana is an excellent treatment option for people who have tried to find relief through more traditional methods and still encounter pain or other symptoms. Because marijuana is a natural product, many people prefer it to medications created in a lab.

What health conditions qualify for medical marijuana cards?

The state of New Mexico allows medical marijuana use for a defined range of health conditions. The first step in qualifying for your medical marijuana card is working with a health professional to document one of these qualifying conditions.

Some of the health issues approved for medical marijuana treatment include:

  1. Alzheimer’s Disease
  2. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  3. Anxiety Disorder
  4. Autism Spectrum Disorder
  5. Cancer
  6. Crohn’s Disease
  7. Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord (with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity)
  8. Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
  9. Friedreich’s Ataxia
  10. Glaucoma
  11. Hepatitis C Infection currently receiving antiviral therapy
  12. HIV/AIDS
  13. Hospice Care
  14. Huntington’s disease
  15. Inclusion Body Myositis
  16. Inflammatory Autoimmune-mediated Arthritis
  17. Insomnia
  18. Intractable Nausea/Vomiting
  19. Lewy Body Disease
  20. Multiple Sclerosis
  21. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  22. Opioid Use Disorder
  23. Painful Peripheral Neuropathy
  24. Parkinson’s disease
  25. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  26. Severe Anorexia/Cachexia
  27. Severe Chronic Pain
  28. Spasmodic Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia)
  29. Spinal Muscular Atrophy
  30. Ulcerative Colitis

This is far from a comprehensive list. At Mountain Desert Health, Dr. Schaaf provides additional information on the health issues that qualify for medical marijuana cards in New Mexico.

What is the process for getting a medical marijuana card?

The process begins with booking a visit at Mountain Desert Health. Be prepared to provide an overview of your personal health history, including your medical records.

During your visit, Dr. Schaaf discusses your health issues and how you’ve previously managed your condition. She also covers the benefits of medical marijuana and other treatment options to empower you to make informed decisions about your care.

If appropriate, Dr. Schaaf fills out a medical recommendation form. A health professional must sign this form to move forward in the process. Once you have your recommendation form, you’re free to apply for your medical marijuana card. You must drop the application off in person or mail it to the New Mexico Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program.

If you’d like more information about how to apply for medical marijuana cards in the state of New Mexico, book a visit at Mountain Desert Health online or by phone today.