New Mexico health officials have officially added anxiety to the list of conditions that qualify an individual to become a legal medical marijuana patient.
The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Advisory Board has approved adding anxiety as a qualifying medical cannabis condition. The change officially takes effect on January 1st.
“Anxiety isn’t always completely alleviated by the medications that we have available now, and being able to utilize cannabis to treat anxiety disorder is something that is in alignment with the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act to relieve symptoms,” said Stephanie Richmond, a physician assistant and advisory board member who petitioned the board in March with fellow board member Dr. Jean-Paul Dedam to add anxiety as a qualifying condition.
The petition is inclusive of all anxiety diagnoses, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder.
- Social anxiety disorder.
- Medication-induced anxiety disorder.
- Panic disorder.
- Some phobias.
The state’s MMJ program also recently updated its online patient portal to allow for electronic patient ID cards.
