SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Health's (NMDOH) Medical Cannabis Program launches a new version of the patient application, with changes that help both patients and certifying practitioners.

The application is reduced from four pages to two and can be completed electronically then printed for signing. Certifying practitioners must now send medical records with the proof of provider visit form instead of having to write lengthy explanations as required on the previous applications. Additional changes include easier-to-read font, and instruction pages for applicants and certifying practitioners.

"The launch of the improved application is the culmination of many months of hard work by our dedicated team," says NMDOH Cabinet Secretary Lynn Gallagher. "By providing a more straight-forward application process, we aim to better serve patients and certifying practitioners."

The Department of Health has 30 days from the time it receives a completed application to approve or deny it. Applications undergo an administrative and medical review. The Department is required to issue a patient registry card within 5 days of approving a patient application.

During the last six months of 2017, the Medical Cannabis Program processed 99 percent of all completed applications in 30 days and 99 percent of patient registry cards were mailed within five days of approving a patient application.

At the end of February, according to the latest patient statistics available, there were nearly 49,000 patients in the program. The average patient age is 49-years-old. Fifty-three percent of patients are men and 47 percent are women. Of the patients who responded to the Veteran Status question on the patient application, 13 percent reported being a Veteran.

The new patient applications can be found online at https://nmhealth.org/about/mcp/svcs/. All applications must be submitted by mail or in person. At this time, applications are not accepted electronically.