How long until NM DOH MCP approval?

[Disco Donaldson]

Hi ya gang, long time lurker, first time poster.

I just wanted to create a thread that examines the wait time for approval of applications and delivery of Medicinal Cannabis cards in New Mexico. I have seen a several posts from earlier this year stating 30 days, but I am experiencing a longer wait time and thought that others might be experiencing the same.

I got all my paper work in order and sent it to the DOH USPS First Class mail w/ Delivery Confirmation and it was received by them on June 28th 2011. I was told by my doc to allow 30 days for delivery card and if I had no news by then to be sure to contact the DOH and ask for a status update. Being patient I waited aprox 35 days before calling (week of August 1st). Upon talking with the DOH, I was told that there was no record of my application, but that they we currently processing applications submitted/received mid-June, and that she just processed 100 apps the past week. I was informed that the department was receiving a lot of applications and that the average turn-around was 40 days. I was told if I wanted to submit a formal inquiry to the department that it would take two weeks to get a definite answer as to my status. I explained that they received my app June 28 and that it was probably just a matter of days and I would continue to wait patiently.

After another week with no information, I thought it would not hurt to submit a formal inquiry into the status of my application. I wrote a brief letter, copied my NMDL as per their request and even included a self addressed stamped envelope for the departmentâ??s ease of processing. This was the week of August 8th.

After yet another week of no information, I called the department to express my concern. I was told that there was still no information regarding my application, received or otherwise. I asked if maybe I should re-submit; that I made copies of all my submitted forms. I was told that was up to me, but I would need an actual doctorâ??s signature on my Medical Certification Form. I mentioned that I had submitted a formal request for information regarding my application and this time was told that formal requests of application status were taking 30 days to process. I decided to patiently wait one more week prior to re-filing.

At this point I figured my application had been lost in the mail or mis-handled by the DOH (week of August 22nd) I contacted my doctor and got him to re-sign the required form, gathered up all my previously completed documents and readied for delivery. I figured that it might be good idea to track my $30 USPS money order for my PPL so I went to the Post Office and got that started (5 days for info I was told). At the end of the week everything was ready to go, but to be on the safe side I decided to wait until early the following week to resubmit, just in case it made it in over the weekend.

I had to travel to ABQ on Monday, September 29th and thought I would send from a Post Office there, just in caseâ?¦change things up. I purchased a second $30 M/O for the PPL since I had no information at the time regarding the original and included it with my second application. Parcel was sent USPS Certified First Class Mail with Signature Confirmation this time. Upon arriving home from ABQ, I noticed that my tracking information regarding my original M/O had been received in the mail. It seems that the USPS M/O for $30 that was sent with my original application was redeemed by the NM DOH on June 28th, 2010, the day my original set of paper work was received according to the delivery confirmation info provided by the Post Office.

So, fellow forum folks, as I write this on the morning of September 3rd, 2010, it has been Sixty-six (66) days since my original application and original $30 M/O was received by the NM DOH. Almost 4 weeks since my formal request for information regarding my application was submitted. I have received no information on either; approved, denied, or otherwise.

I thought that perhaps others may be experiencing similar results, or maybe I am the unlucky one whose info just got put in the wrong stack.

Of course I will update as I learn more, regardless of outcome. Sorry for the lengthy tale, I just wanted to be thorough.

Please share if you have any similar experiences.

TL;DR â?? I am still waiting for information from the NM DOH regarding my program application for over 60 days now. No card or letter of approval, denial or otherwise.

[ManOBuds]

Email sent.

[alfonso2002]

I think you are one of the unlucky ones that your paper work was misplaced but you say that your money order was cashed.the two apps are sent to the same address. but take different routes within the department.Something just went wrong at the department.Your not a gambler are you? If you are your luck is running in the wrong way. Just keep on top of it.I have never heard of any one having to wait this long. DOH is doing a lot of apps. since the expo so that might have something to do with the mix up. They only have 3 people working in the department so just hang in there. I had my renewal last month and it took about 40 days to get it. good luck if you still have any left.LOL

[MimbresValley]

Same exact thing here...sent my renewal paperwork off in early Jne..my application fee was cashed early July..was a personal check so my bank was able to confirm. Here I am in Sept and have not received an APPROVAL/ OR DENIAL..OR
REQUEST for additional info..sent off a written request about my application,with the self addressed stamped envelope 3 weeks ago...still havent heard a thing.
I thought I got blackballed cause of being a vocal person in the community.

[alfonso2002]

Hi MimbresValley KEEP YOUR SHORTS ON they are doing new apps by the hand full so renewals are on the back burner but they are being done when you get your card the date of renewal will be the date that your last card was to expire

[MimbresValley]

I have been patiently waiting for 3 months :) although my friend sent in his renewal weeks after mine and received his card about ten days ago.
Plus lets say it takes another month before I get my card, instead of getting a year of use out of it, then I only have a valid card for 8 months instead of a year.
Pre dating my card back to when I originally sent in my application out would be a disservice to me.

Im just glad to hear im not the only one getting the run around.

[Tank_Girl]

My application was received by the Department of Health on July 18th. As of Wednesday I had heard nada so decided to call.

I was told there was no record of my application, but they were currently working on all applications received from mid-July and sooner. I was also told that they had brought in several more personal from other departments to help relive some of the overload the department has been experiencing due the volume of applications being received.

Not sure if they were sincere or just telling me what I wanted to hear, but regardless I am currently at 52 days since they received my application and I do not have my card, nor have I received any information either way.

MimbresValley, you mentioned blackballing/runaround. Sheer incompetence may be more like it, if not just a simple lack of caring.

Oops…did I just say that out loud?

TG

[MimbresValley]

Well... I have yet to talk to anyone over thephone. But if they cashed someones application fee and have no record of that persons application.there is some serious serious issues.. how the hell can they take your money and deposit it in the mcp bank account but have no record of your payment/application. If they tellme there is no record of my application....i am going to flip out...i can get a letter from my bank showing they cashed my check. If they have no record of my payment/it starting to make total sense why they are being sued in the first place. That makes no since.
Sure its easy to say keep ur pants on when--you-- got your card in a timely manner. Would u be dining a different tune if it had been over 70 days and they have no record of your application but they had taken your money.

I honestly thought I had been selectively blackballed due to how vocal I am in the cummunity.cause in my email correspondence I was told they process all applications in the order they were received..but my friend sent his application in weeks after me. And already received his renewal over a week ago. I think the doh needs to update their FAQ...cause it clearly states they have 30days to review an application. Today I called the program to talk to someone and on their voicemail message it says it can take up to 30 days to get a call back even. I don't. Even know how to feel That this happening to other people as well. Kinda rellieved but still upset that this happening to others

[alfonso2002]

My application was received by the Department of Health on July 18th. As of Wednesday I had heard nada so decided to call.

I was told there was no record of my application, but they were currently working on all applications received from mid-July and sooner. I was also told that they had brought in several more personal from other departments to help relive some of the overload the department has been experiencing due the volume of applications being received.

Not sure if they were sincere or just telling me what I wanted to hear, but regardless I am currently at 52 days since they received my application and I do not have my card, nor have I received any information either way.

MimbresValley, you mentioned blackballing/runaround. Sheer incompetence may be more like it, if not just a simple lack of caring.

Oops…did I just say that out loud?

TG

Hi tank Girl You say that they received your app on the 18th of july.How do you know that it was received?There is a record if you know that it was received.Thing will start running a little better after the 1st of the year when they start to get renewal fees from the producers. and have some cash to hire I think that I heard that they will be hiring 15 new employees. as of now there are 5000+ patients in the program and counting with only 3 poeple to handel all the paper work. I know it is no help now but things will get better in the next year.Also all the people with ppls can expect a site vist from DOH in the next year when these new people get on board.

[Disco Donaldson]

Update...

I wanted to check my mail before posting today so I could hopefully post some good news; unfortunately that is not the case :(.

I called on Tuesday of this week and spoke with a lady by the name of Jane. I explained my situation (Orig app received date, formal inquiry date, re-applied date, no infor from DOH, etc, etc) and was told that they were currently working on July 15th applications and apps received prior to that date. She checked the computer for my name, told me there was nothing there. Same ole song and dance as the other times I have called (new person though). Just before she let me go however, I was able to add the fact that my $30 USPS M/O for my PPL was redeemed the day of my original application was received by the DOH. She sat there for a second, then said “REALLY?!” as if in dis-belief. I told her that was correct and she asked me again for my name and a phone number which I gave her.

No one from the DOH has called me at anytime, let alone after that conversation.

TL;DR – 73 days since original NMDOH MCP application received (and PPL M/O redeemed) by DOH and no information as to acceptance, denial or otherwise received.

DD

[MimbresValley]

I consider my application received the day the doh cashed my application check, which was paper clipped on the last page of my application....not the day it was received at the office as shown by my delivery confirmation service through the post office. My check was cashed first week in July. Its ridiculous they cashed your money order but have no record of you. What number did you call? When I called I got a voicemail saying up to thirty days before they will call back.

[Disco Donaldson]

...What number did you call? When I called I got a voicemail saying up to thirty days before they will call back.

I call the number as listed on the main website for the DOH MCP. As listed "CONTACT INFORMATION »
If you have questions, please contact the Medical Cannabis Program Staff at (505) 827-2321 or email [email protected]".

I only left a message one time, no one called back. So I just keep calling every few minutes until I get a live person on the phone.

I am always pleasant when speaking with then; patient and polite. However, at this point I question the whole "catch more flies with honey" idealism and am considering going a more angered route.

Will update when I can.

DD

[ManOBuds]

What happened to our scheduled meeting,Disco?

[MimbresValley]

I only left a message one time, no one called back. So I just keep calling every few minutes until I get a live person on the phone.

DD

thats epic, say hello to the blacklist :)
lol

[Disco Donaldson]

Two thoughts on this I guess.

Japanese proverb -> "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." or

American Humorist John Billings -> "...the squeaky wheel gets the grease."


DD


P.S. This one from Abe Lincoln is good too -> "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men."

[MimbresValley]

for whatever its worth, and what I find rather annoying and fairly stupid, that on the DOH medical cannabis official site it says they have "thirty days" to review an application. Why have some time frame posted on the official site that is complete Bullshit. Its been around 80 days since my application fee was cashed, I think over a 100 days since the office received my application. They should have something like 100 days + posted on the website if they are so backed up.
Its been almost a month since I sent a written request for info, still haven't heard anything.

and when you call to talk to someone they say it can take 30 days to get a call back. 505-827-2321 (tel:505-827-2321).

how do we even communicate with the DOH, what if I miss their call, do I have to call back and wait another 30 days..

the whole thing is pretty ridiculous, but yeah most ridiculous is the bullshit timeline they have posted.

A patient can send in their renewal and in the DOH"s paperwork it says make sure you get your application in 30 days before your card expires so your service in not interrupted. they should have get your renewal application in at least a 100 days before..

I had all my stuff in just as I should but because of the backlog I ended up having to break down my whole grown and also lost all my strains which had taken me several years to acquire and worked well for my medical condition, which could have been avoided had they posted a realistic time frame, and not that 30 day crap.
sorry for the crappy message, typing from my cell phone.

if they had something realistic posted up, I would have sent my renewal off back in march or something... Im not so upset that they are back logged. just really unprofessional how they are handelingthings.

[alfonso2002]

MimbresValley I think you jumped the gun you say "I ended up having to break down my whole grown and also lost all my strains which had taken me several years to acquire and worked well for my medical condition,". I think I posted a while back that I also Got my card a little late when I did my renewal this last year but when I did get it the date of renewal was the date that my last card had expired so If you got rid of your grow that was on you as long as you have your paper work in even if you don't have your card you are ok if law enforcement was to check you would be in good standing with the department.Sorry to hear you lost your strains.

[MimbresValley]

what if the police show up, they call the DOH and they*DOH* have no record of my application.
The DOH cashed disco's MO but have no record of his application, I don't know if they have any record of my application cause nobody answers the phone when you call, sent in a request for info with the self addressed stamped envelope, no reply.

i also live with my fiancee, don't want to risk causing her problems.
I still haven't got a call back from the DOH from the message I left last week, ill let you guys know how long things end up taking for me.
nothing in the mail yet.

I just tried to go to the medical cannabis program site, and its down. Im going to laugh if they change the 30 day thing after I posted that message this morning,

[alfonso2002]

Minbres DOH has someone answering the phone so if you just keep trying you will get someone to talk to.

[MimbresValley]

still no phone call back, been a week now since I left a message.
still no response back about my application status, been a month.
getting close to three months since my check for my application fee was cashed.

I think im going to give it another month from today, if I don't get some type of response. I may just have to resort to legal action, its posted on the DOH website 30 days, and other people have sent their application in after me and already received their card. so I can prove the whole first come first serve thing is total crap.

[alfonso2002]

Sorry to hear all the problems you are having just to get your renewal card. don't know what more you can do.

[Disco Donaldson]

Not much to update, called the DOH multiple times on Tuesday, a few times Wednesday and twice on Thursday; got through on Thursday.

A gentleman answered the phone and said all they were doing at this time is taking people’s numbers and returning their calls. I explained I have called and left my number multiple times in the past, no one has yet to call me back but okay, if that’s what they are saying then whatever. I gave them my name, quick info as to date original app received, M/O redeemed, 2nd app received, formal inquiry received and a contact phone number. I asked him at that point “So…someone WILL call me back, right?!” He assured me that someone would call me back.

No one from the NM DOH has called me back and I am confident (from previous experience) that they will not.

TL;DR – 87 days since original NMDOH MCP application received (and PPL M/O redeemed) by DOH and no information as to acceptance, denial or otherwise received.

DD

[alfonso2002]

Not much to update, called the DOH multiple times on Tuesday, a few times Wednesday and twice on Thursday; got through on Thursday.

A gentleman answered the phone and said all they were doing at this time is taking people’s numbers and returning their calls. I explained I have called and left my number multiple times in the past, no one has yet to call me back but okay, if that’s what they are saying then whatever. I gave them my name, quick info as to date original app received, M/O redeemed, 2nd app received, formal inquiry received and a contact phone number. I asked him at that point “So…someone WILL call me back, right?!” He assured me that someone would call me back.

No one from the NM DOH has called me back and I am confident (from previous experience) that they will not.

TL;DR – 87 days since original NMDOH MCP application received (and PPL M/O redeemed) by DOH and no information as to acceptance, denial or otherwise received.

DD

Disco I think we all know what the problem is over there. They need more HELP!!!. The number of patients in the program has sored to over 5000 DOH has to deal with new apps. plus all the renewals and then there are the PPLs that have to be issued. They have 6 hands working so that comes to 3 persons that are doing all the paper work. After the new year things should change for the better when DOH starts to get monies from producers renewals. I heard somewhere that they were going to hire 15 new people. You are one of the unlucky ones that things did not go so smooth for.

[MimbresValley]

still no phone call back. still no news from the DOH in regards to my written request asking about the status of my application :mad:

[alfonso2002]

that really sucks

[CFO]

DD & MV: my brother-in-law is in the same boat. Sent app on July 22nd. I am beginning to wonder if someone in the mailroom is diverting the mail. Also, spoke with Dominick and he was out ill for the past few days so that means there were only two people working on everything. All we can do is be patient. Hang in there.

[CFO]

Card received yesterday, 09/22/11. Two months from date mailed.

[alfonso2002]

Card received yesterday, 09/22/11. Two months from date mailed.

CFO was that a first issue or a renewal? And what date did it have on it? thanks

[CFO]

CFO was that a first issue or a renewal? And what date did it have on it? thanks
Renewal and dated to expire 09/19/12.

[alfonso2002]

Then I guess you did not have a valid lic. from the date of your last card expiration date?That don't sound good if you would have been check at that time you would not have been in good standings with DOH? Hoping that they get this straightened out pretty quick.

[CFO]

Then I guess you did not have a valid lic. from the date of your last card expiration date?That don't sound good if you would have been check at that time you would not have been in good standings with DOH? Hoping that they get this straightened out pretty quick.
Well, the renewal card shows the original issue date of July 22,2010 with a new expiration date of Sept. 19, 2012. And since he failed to send the paperwork in thirty days before his card expired, then, yes, he was partaking illegally. Hopefully all those pending will be receiving their cards soon.

[alfonso2002]

CFO can you tell me how you knew that "And since he failed to send the paperwork in thirty days before his card expired". I don't remenber him saying he sent it late.

[CFO]

CFO can you tell me how you knew that "And since he failed to send the paperwork in thirty days before his card expired". I don't remenber him saying he sent it late.
I am referring to my brother-in-law. His renewal paperwork was mailed the day his card expired rather than 30 days ahead of expiration.

[alfonso2002]

OK thanks misunderstood who you were talking about

[bonus]

I may have killed my first post - I'll try again.

They should have received my application 37 days ago and no response yet. I assume I have to send a letter asking for status and then wait for it to go through the process.

I have a newbie question - I hope to home grow. I heard that seeds are not available - you have to buy clones. They give me permission to grow but not to buy seeds? What is the price range for clones??

[alfonso2002]

As far as I know it is taking at least 60 days at this time.Who gave you permission to grow but not buy seed's. If you have a Department of Health Personal Production License you can buy seeds or clones from LNNP's.Price range for clones is 0-unknown it depends on a lot of factors.

[CFO]

As far as I know it is taking at least 60 days at this time.Who gave you permission to grow but not buy seed's. If you have a Department of Health Personal Production License you can buy seeds or clones from LNNP's.Price range for clones is 0-unknown it depends on a lot of factors.

Just to add a little....some of the producers are focusing on quality, medicinal grade herb. Seeds are an unwanted commodity in general. However, we expect some will start focusing on selective pollination for seeds. Most of the producers have clones. Buying clones, in my opinion, is better because you KNOW you are getting a female plant. Try the strains from a LNPP that works for you and then purchase a clone (or 4). Than you don't have to worry if your seeds aren't feminized. A few years ago I bought seeds once from a foreign source and half the plants turned out to be male!!! Not worth the fortune I spent on the seeds. Personally, I prefer the clones. Good luck and welcome to the program. Your card should arrive soon.

[Disco Donaldson]

Alright,

Update of all updates.

I got my card Saturday September 18th, 2011 (postmarked 09-16-11). The DOH received said application on June 28th, 2011. I wanted to wait until family member got their card to ensure the timeframe is accurate with mine as well as theirs, and it was close. Family member’s paperwork received by DOH on July 18th, 2011 and just received their card this afternoon, September 30th, 2011 (postmarked 09-28-11)

In addition, I received a call from the DOH Wednesday of this week in response to my “official inquiry” sent in to the DOH around August 8th. I was informed the call was concerning my “official inquiry” and was told that a card was sent out on said date and was asked if I had received said card. I was told that they were just getting to the stack of paperwork with that time frame's date on it and therefore was the result in the delay of follow up.

I hope this info is additionally helpful to anyone whose is wondering the expected wait in turnaround time.

DD

TL;DR - Finally got my approval at almost 90 days. Family member less by aprox 2 weeks.


:thumbsup:

[alfonso2002]

Glad to hear that you got your card. Did you apply for your ppl at the same time and if so did you get it also?

[ManOBuds]

Congrats.

[olliegrow]

I was told by a reliable source that the hold up was because the office in santa fe was over loaded with applicants/applications, so they relocated to larger offices and hired more employes to handle all the applications/cards. A lot of applicants are NOW getting their cards in the mail so NO WORRIES !! With all the card holders I hope you all can find good inexpensive meds with the shortage of product !?!

[alfonso2002]

I was told by a reliable source that the hold up was because the office in santa fe was over loaded with applicants/applications, so they relocated to larger offices and hired more employes to handle all the applications/cards. A lot of applicants are NOW getting their cards in the mail so NO WORRIES !! With all the card holders I hope you all can find good inexpensive meds with the shortage of product !?!

olliegrow WHAT do you mean "shortage of product". Just got a news letter from one of the producers that they are at 3-4 pounds a week and that is only ONE of them there are 25 come on now there is no shortage now or the near future. What has to change is the PRICE. Now we know what rate they can produce at so supply should not be the problem. What is needed is a price war one of the producers has had one strain at 8$ so it can be done.

[CFO]

olliegrow WHAT do you mean "shortage of product". Just got a news letter from one of the producers that they are at 3-4 pounds a week and that is only ONE of them there are 25 come on now there is no shortage now or the near future. What has to change is the PRICE. Now we know what rate they can produce at so supply should not be the problem. What is needed is a price war one of the producers has had one strain at 8$ so it can be done.
Unfortunately we are down to 24 producers. IMHO the prices will come down from all the producers once they have all been in business and producing regularly after year two. The producer that has a single strain available for $8 a gram has been producing for over two years already. We need to give the rest of them time and be patient.

[alfonso2002]

Your right as usual CFO

[alfonso2002]

YOUR right as usual CFO but when I look at the numbers 12.00x28x16x2.5 a week thats not to shabby.

[williboy]

Wow and I was going to ask if I came to NM already a card carrying Californian, I might get one quicker! Perhaps I should just stay in NorCal. Yep seems right.

[alfonso2002]

willieboy At least for the time being.

[CFO]

YOUR right as usual CFO but when I look at the numbers 12.00x28x16x2.5 a week thats not to shabby.
Well, thank you! Not many will tell when I am right. :)

The numbers sound wonderful. Just received the newest e-newsletter from the most vocal producer and see that they are now up to 51,000 watts with five flowering rooms. WOW!!!! That is a lot of operating costs. I think they have a staff of 5 or 6 (maybe more), an office which they pay rent, utilities, insurance, etc., grow facility which even if purchased and not rented has the same costs. I am not saying they spend every dime they charge, but being patients themselves, they are working towards and have been giving the medicine at no charge to those patients with limited or no resources.

So although production may be up, the revenues may still only be covering costs. I don't believe for a minute that compensation is exorbitant and no one is getting rich. I think everyone wants a reasonable compensation and benefits from their employer and many of these producers have put in hundreds if not thousands of hours with zero compensation. No one really expects these producers work for free or even minimum wage, do they? How much would any of us want to be paid for risking jail time? (A normal work year is 2,080 hours and I am positive they put in more time than that!). So, now that production is up and prices are reasonable, they can finally get paid for their devotion to this program. We know that at least no one makes the money the pharmaceutical companies make.

[yellowsnow]

So if I understand it can take 30-60 days to receive your medical card?:wtf:

[alfonso2002]

yellowstone It should take no more than 30 days but right now I think the 60 days is more like it.

[olliegrow]

Not only can the price be lowered but the quality needs to be all medical grade, some of these places ive been to have sold me some poor medical product !! Not going to name names but Im sure Im not the only one supprised about quality of our medicine !! And as far as getting you card, because of the flood of applicants its now taken from feb 2011-still waiting for many people I know of, so can be longer than 4 months !! All you can do is email and call the hell out of them so they make this a priority !!

[yellowsnow]

Wow and New Mexico is suppose to be compassionate!!

[CFO]

Wow and New Mexico is suppose to be compassionate!!
The participants in the program are compassionate! I guess not everyone is aware that the Medical Cannabis Program receives very little if any funding right now. The people that run the program are "borrowed" from the Harm Reduction Program. The producers ALL have a minimum of three patients on their board which constitutes more than 50% of the required number of board members (5 are required). Board members serve uncompensated. The numbers sound high, but not every producer can generate a pound a plant....especially indoors. Growing organically is a lot more expensive than sowing some seeds in the soil and letting mother nature take her course. Please be patient.

[CFO]

Not only can the price be lowered but the quality needs to be all medical grade, some of these places ive been to have sold me some poor medical product !! Not going to name names but Im sure Im not the only one supprised about quality of our medicine !! And as far as getting you card, because of the flood of applicants its now taken from feb 2011-still waiting for many people I know of, so can be longer than 4 months !! All you can do is email and call the hell out of them so they make this a priority !!. Hey Ollie! I thought you only grow your own. ;-)

Learned this week that part of the problem regarding the delay is due to the cannabis expo. There were a lot of people there charging a lot of money and also telling patients they would get their cards in a week!!! Please! We all know the mail can take that long!!! But seriously... How can anyone expect three people to process over 1,000 applications in a short period of time. They were able to borrow more people and have been processing applications in the last few weeks. Be patient and compassionate to them too. They are required to answer the emails and the phones so if people continually do both, then they won't have time to process the apps because they are busy with calls and emails!

[InsuranceGuy]

Ok I am at day 63 of the confirmed receipt of my packet at the DOH. I know for a fact that they cashed my check on
10-7-2011. That is like 19 days ago. Wouldn't compassion mean getting people in pain their medice in a timely manner? Wouldn't compassion mean trying to get the patients taken care of?

Sorry a little pissed and frustrated that my card is not here yet....

BTW do I detect a little tension in here amungst a few posters? lol

[alfonso2002]

Again the system is backed up right now but DOH is doing the best that they can. If it was me and I had sent my renewal in and know that they had gotten it and I needed to put plants in or needed to do anthing with my garden I would do it and not worry about it.My renewal did come about a month late and that was about the time they started to get overloaded so ????

[CosmicScorpio]

I am into week 7 on waiting for my renewal. I am lapsed and without medicine still. I have been having to go heavy on the opiates and sedatives. I am tired and upset a good deal of the time. They keep me dizzy and frustrated. I leaned over to to grab something from the bath tub corner and fell in sideways pushing my neck to the side really hard, so now I have to dip into my muscle relaxers as well. I want to call but I don't want to bog down the DOH with even more things to answer and do. Then at other times I feel like leaving them a scathing message, however this is no way to treat people who can approve or deny me. Every producer email I get seems to have a sale going on right now. I see what I could be getting but for lack of one little card, I can not have it. And that really sucks.

[alfonso2002]

Sorry about your situation CosmicScorpio patients like you are the ones that are suffering the most from this delay in processing of cards.But not to worry the prices are on a slide now There is even one producer in Albuquerque that has all there strains at 200.00 an oz.Also one that has the interests of the patient grower in mind and has come out with a system for them to get the most out of there grow any more info you'll have to Friend me and then you can see my contact info

[ManOBuds]

Let's see how compassionate New Mexico really is........I am about to be homeless.Anybody looking to hire a live-in grower/caregiver who comes with his own equipment,grow supplies,and experience? References available upon request.

[shadowyazn]

Hey everybody, been trolling these boards for a good 2 months now since right before i sent my app in for my license. I sent in my app on October 5th, received in Santa Fe next day air on the 6th. Received my card yesterday in the mail, 11/15/11. Roughly 40 days. Not bad considering the time frames I've read about on here. The thing I've noticed....most people that are complaining about their card taking so long ALSO applied for the PPL at the time they applied for a new license. I did NOT. I highly believe that this is a huge factor in determining how long your card takes to arrive. Hope this helped some!

[alfonso2002]

Looks like heads have rolled over this situation DOMINIC ZURLO is leaving. I for one will miss him he really wanted this program to be a success. But there was no money to hire more employees and this backlog just got bigger and bigger.So as an outcome someones head had to roll wrong place at the wrong time. I'm seeing a lot more apps moving through the system now but will still have a backlog for another 1-2 months.

[ManOBuds]

That sucks.

[Valaotto]

Exactly 30 days for me.

[alfonso2002]

Sounds like DOH is getting back on track.Well the producers had there meeting with secretary and alls good for now. The big news is that SFINM did not renew there license.

[CFO]

Looks like heads have rolled over this situation DOMINIC ZURLO is leaving. I for one will miss him he really wanted this program to be a success. But there was no money to hire more employees and this backlog just got bigger and bigger.So as an outcome someones head had to roll wrong place at the wrong time. I'm seeing a lot more apps moving through the system now but will still have a backlog for another 1-2 months.
Dominick's leaving was of his own accord, as were the two ladies. To replace them, the Secretary moved 5 full time employees from other departments to do nothing but work on getting the apps flowing again. I don't know how any one could think that 3 part-time employees were going to handle over 1,000 applications! I'm disappointed that it took the loss of experienced personnel to get the Secretary to wake up and hire more people. Dominick has stated in the past the reason for the high renewal fees for the producers was to hire 5 to 7 full time employees. I am hearing that they are down to 2 weeks turn around. Now, if my brother-in-law would finally receive his PPL, that would be nice.

[CFO]

Sounds like DOH is getting back on track.Well the producers had there meeting with secretary and alls good for now. The big news is that SFINM did not renew there license.
Are you kidding me? The first producer gave it up? Any reasons given? Such a shame that the program has lost any of the producers. Was there any word about replacing the two that didn't renew?

[alfonso2002]

Hi CFO no reason given but they were at the 30.000.00 level so that might have had something to do with it.As far as replacing them rumor has it that DOH will be replacing them with 2 more .If they do it soon the new producers will have this first year free or almost free.

[ScaredasHell]

Interesting, the only producer to say NO to the Grower's Guild / Livingstone's lawsuit are folding up. Got some killer clones from them. Sorry to see them go. (Unlike DZ!!!).

[CFO]

Interesting, the only producer to say NO to the Grower's Guild / Livingstone's lawsuit are folding up. They weren't the only producer to say NO to the Guild/lawsuit. I know of at least three producers that are having nothing to do with the lawsuit and at least one other that said no to joining the producer's guild. As far as I know, none of the current producers have anything to do with Livingston's lawsuit. It is a group of wannabes. It is also my understanding that the DOH will NOT replace either of the producers that did not renew at this time. There were rumors that there were 4 new producer applications being approved even before Dec. 1st. This was just that...rumor. No basis and untrue. The 23 remaining producers will be the only producers for some time to come. This information was provided to me by one of my clients with permission to post. (one of the producers which I cannot disclose) We are sad to see them go as well. Yes, their medicine was top drawer.

[alfonso2002]

CFO even the producers don't know what DOH is going to do about the 2 that did not renew. But I think 2 will be replaced. And as far as quality I never got any of there meds but they had a few years to learn what they were doing so they should have been there.

[CFO]

Alfonso, you might want to check with your producers. According to the three I work with the Secretary clearly stated there will NOT be any new producers anytime in the near future. But, she could just be blowing smoke to calm the fears of the other producers. RE meds from SFINM....Our family members have all purchased from SFINM and everything purchased was top of the line. A+ Their gardner works with some of the seed companies to create new medicinal strains and has been in Hightimes multiple times. (sorry not at liberty to disclose his name) Their patients are going to have to check out all of the rest of the producers to find comparable quality. The ones I work with are all getting there. They all have less experience. Len's meds are getting there too.

[alfonso2002]

CFO then we will just have to wait and see.Don't get me wrong but the fact that there gardener was in high times dose not impress. And yes there will be a lot of patients looking for a new producer. Have your family members been informed by SFINM that they will not be around much longer. And yes the patients are the ones that have to make first contact with the producers as they do not get a list of patients from DOH.

[ScaredasHell]

OK I stand corrected (I think...) I spoke with Paul Livingston ESQ a while back, and I could have sworn he said SFINM was the only producer not in the (then newly-formed) Grower's Guild. I think this was b4 the lawsuit. I think I am confusing the Plaintiffs (DOH rejects / limbo-status) with the producers. If you think about it, the producers have no reason to sue (other than maybe the outrageous escalating fees)!

Not Scared

[ScaredasHell]

But, the real question, is can YOU do this?280864 (Got taco leaf during flushing, a little over-ripe, maybe....)

Not Scared

[alfonso2002]

Nice plant there notscard what strain you have there?

[ScaredasHell]

Thanks, my propriety stinky/skunky C-99 (acquired when C-99 was marketed as a low-odor strain) X Serious Seeds' AK-47. I call it AK X C99. Shoulda taken a photo a week ago before flushing, looked a lot healthier.

Not Scared

[alfonso2002]

Nice Cinderella 99 Is that the clone you got from SFINM? I think one of the other producers has that strain also.Did you do the crossing with AK-47? For the pic it is what it is.

[ScaredasHell]

Actually, I brought the C-99 directly from the Brothers Grimm, b4 they went out of business in around 2001, did the X with Serious Seeds Ak-47 from Gypsy Nirvana, in Cali, brought quite a jar with me across the Desert, needless to say put them in the fridge in Needles, Cali (over 100), some variation but pretty consistent, stocked for the future!!! Still getting 90+% germ rates. I plan to cross this with "Mighty Haze Candy" from Dutch Flowers. Then - look out! PS pretty soon I'll post a pic of my last 10 pack of Apollo 11 from Brothers Grimm in original packaging. In 2002, $150. Today - priceless.

NOTscared

[alfonso2002]

Good Luck with that I have a few seeds but I find it easier to deal with clones.

[ScaredasHell]

Yes I was all about the clones until I had mites for the 1st time, due to the extremely dry summer, or maybe it was just my turn, so I do both now. Clones finish about a week earlier, seedlings produce bigger tops, try to get the best of both worlds; man with 4 flowering plants at a time it's tough! If they'd up the limit to 6 I'd be quite happy. Or 12 like Arizona is right now.

[alfonso2002]

Yea the last advisory board meeting was to have discussed the matter of plant count but it ended early. Anyway one of the board members had left anyway.The 4 plant count is alright if you have an outdoor grow but indoors is another thing all together.I think more than the plant count we need to get the amount of product you can have changed 6 oz.s is just too low I think more like 1lb that way if you do an outdoor grow you can have for the whole year.It is just too expensive to grow indoors.

[ScaredasHell]

I agree re the 6 oz. limit - especially given one county (Marin???) in CA allows 4 lbs. per patient.

[CFO]

I agree re the 6 oz. limit - especially given one county (Marin???) in CA allows 4 lbs. per patient.
No wonder the feds are cracking down in CA! 4 Lbs for personal use? Anyway...I suggest all of us patients and our families start writing letters to the Secretary of Health and our legislators. The Statute is expected to be opened in order to permanently allocate the fees generated from MCP to the DOH. This is the time for any changes to be made. Increased amount of finished product and longer period between license renewal for the patients for certain conditions (permanent card for 'uncureable' conditions, bi-annual for others). Some things can be changed through the rules and regulations as they were last December. Other things have to be changed in the Statute. If the newspaper articles are correct, when the Act was written, Legislatures expected a minimal number of patients. Not the 5000+ applications received to date.

[alfonso2002]

CFO your making sense again. LOL but you might think 4 lbs might be a lot but if you are making" THE CURE" you need lots of product and not just leftovers.And your on the money with the NEED to change the renewal time frame It should be at least every 2 years I think it should be more like our drivers license every 4 years or permanent.You say" Legislatures expected a minimal number of patients" How can that be if PTSD is one of the conditions.There Is no one out there that has not had one of those episodes in there life. And then there is chronic pain. As a young person I for one though I could do anything and did do it as a result sustained injury's that NOW I am paying for. I don't think I am that far different than everyone else. So what I am trying to say is that there is no reason for someone that wants to get in the program not to be able to.

[ScaredasHell]

Yes I love the idea of a Permanent card - had my condition since 1984 and if anything it just gets worse! Why should I / we have to re-up every year!!!!!!

Not1bitscared

[CFO]

Hi Alfonso. When the statute was written, PTSD was NOT one of the approved conditions. It was added after one of the subsequent medical advisory meetings. I would have to re-read the statute to see what the original conditions were, but I recall Epilepsy, MS, ALS, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and a few others. I would have to pull up the statute and too lazy to do so. Sooooo....without the PTSD and chronic pain.....how many patients would there be? Again, could look it up, but too lazy tonight! LOL

[alfonso2002]

Not a big deal what were the first intentions of the act. As all things they change sometimes for the better sometimes for the worst.But it is what it is.We have to learn to roll with the punches.

[InsuranceGuy]

Here you go CFO... As of 8-29-11

Active
3981
Bernalillo
1692
Applying
3
Catron
10
Deceased
18
Chaves
73
Denied
3
Cibola
35
Inactive
1227
Colfax
34
Withdrawn
6
Curry
37
Total
5238
De Baca
6
Doña Ana
400
Caregivers
Count
Eddy
67
Active
106
Grant
106
Deceased
1
Guadalupe
6
Inactive
73
Harding
1
Withdrawn
4
Hidalgo
10
Total
184
Lea
32
Lincoln
99
Qualifying Condition
Count
Los Alamos
28
PTSD
1688
Luna
26
Chronic Pain
1250
McKinley
38
Cancer
562
Mora
40
Painful Peripheral Neuropathy
386
Otero
70
HIV/AIDS
236
Quay
23
Intractable Nausea/Vomiting
207
Rio Arriba
163
Multiple Sclerosis
194
Roosevelt
11
Spinal Cord Damage with Intractable Spasticity
175
Roswell
1
Epilepsy
151
San Juan
247
Glaucoma
94
San Miguel
178
Severe Anorexia/Cachexia
79
Sandoval
367
Inflammatory autoimmune-mediated Arthritis
73
Santa Fe
841
Crohn's Disease
65
Sierra
134
Hep C Under Treatment
52
Socorro
45
Hospice Care
17
Taos
178
ALS
6
Torrance
53
Union
4
Inactives Qualifying Condition
Count
Valencia
183
PTSD
284
Cancer
216
Chronic Pain
197
Painful Peripheral Neuropathy
110
HIV/AIDS
96
Multiple Sclerosis
70
Spinal Cord Damage with Intractable Spasticity
65
Epilepsy
45
Intractable Nausea/Vomiting
42
Glaucoma
25
Hep C Under Treatment
21
Severe Anorexia/Cachexia
17
Crohn's Disease
16
Inflammatory Autoimmune-mediated Arthritis
13
Hospice Care
7
ALS
3

License to Produce?
Count
Yes
2219
No
3019
Fee Paid (Tracking as of 1/25/10)
Count
Yes
1020
No
4218
County of Home Address
License to Produce?
Count
Bernalillo
Yes
673
Catron
Yes
8
Chaves
Yes
28
Cibola
Yes
16
Colfax
Yes
20
Curry
Yes
12
De Baca
Yes
5
Doña Ana
Yes
175
Eddy
Yes
31
Grant
Yes
48
Guadalupe
Yes
1
Harding
Yes
1
Hidalgo
Yes
3
Lea
Yes
23
Lincoln
Yes
60
Los Alamos
Yes
15
Luna
Yes
10
McKinley
Yes
15
Mora
Yes
20
Otero
Yes
34
Quay
Yes
11
Rio Arriba
Yes
61
Roosevelt
Yes
5
Roswell
Yes
1
San Juan
Yes
79
San Miguel
Yes
67
Sandoval
Yes
165
Santa Fe
Yes
343
Sierra
Yes
56
Socorro
Yes
25
Taos
Yes
90
Torrance
Yes
26
Union
Yes
2
Valencia
Yes
90
Bernalillo
No
1019
Catron
No
2
Chaves
No
45
Cibola
No
19
Colfax
No
14
Curry
No
25
De Baca
No
1
Doña Ana
No
225
Eddy
No
36
Grant
No
58
Guadalupe
No
5
Hidalgo
No
7
Lea
No
9
Lincoln
No
39
Los Alamos
No
13
Luna
No
16
McKinley
No
23
Mora
No
20
Otero
No
36
Quay
No
12
Rio Arriba
No
102
Roosevelt
No
6
San Juan
No
168
San Miguel
No
111
Sandoval
No
202
Santa Fe
No
498
Sierra
No
78
Socorro
No
20
Taos
No
88
Torrance
No
27
Union
No
2
Valencia
No
93

[allwx]

Finding this thread today, I decided to register to I could add to it. My wife has been on the program since the early days, she was around #400 I think. She's on her 2d renewal. I've been on it for now going into my second year, since they added auto-immune arthritic diseases to the list. We just got our renewals a couple of weeks ago. Both were about a month late, meaning they took two months from the time we mailed the apps to receiving our cards. We also grow, and received both cards at the same time.

Funny thing, two weeks after getting our cards, we got ANOTHER set of cards. Identical. In the first year, they sent us someone else's card and PPL cert. I'd be surprised if this sort of confusion isn't very common in the program. They must be horribly over-worked.

We haven't done much business with the non-profits. I feel a little bad about it, but no way could be afford to buy it at those prices, not with going thru a couple to three oz per month. So we grow. Usually only in winter months so we keep our heating bill down.

[alfonso2002]

Welcome allwx Nice that you are able to grow what you need. Don't feel bad about not having to buy your meds. Thats what it is all about for us patients.

[alfonso2002]

Dam InsuranceGuy it must have taken you almost all day to post that.LOL

[allwx]

Sooooo....without the PTSD and chronic pain.....how many patients would there be? Again, could look it up, but too lazy tonight! LOL

There haven't been any program numbers published at the NMDOH website since 29 August. Before this, they published updated numbers every two or three weeks. The numbers must be much larger now.

You're right, though. PTSD and Chronic Pain account for about 2/3 of the total enrollment. I've got two friends who I think could get onto the program with chronic pain, but they just won't apply. They fear they might lose their jobs over it. They smoke anyway. Makes me think some people will avoid the program because of privacy concerns.

Last year, while doing my wife's renewal paperwork, I noticed that they had added my own chronic disease to the program, so I applied for myself. My rheumtologist insulted me and threw me out of his office (literally) when I asked him to certify me. He has a political problem with the program (Fox News kinda guy). So I fired him and got another Dr who is friendlier, and knowledgable about cannabis, able to talk intelligently about both the good and the not-so-good of it. He was happy to certify me.

I've encountered several people who probably could get onto the program if they worked at it just a little, but they are shy to ask their Dr about it. If there is a problem with the NM system, I think that is it: that people and Drs are discouraged because of fear, and maybe a misplaced sense of shame at being a pothead.

[allwx]

Welcome allwx Nice that you are able to grow what you need. Don't feel bad about not having to buy your meds. Thats what it is all about for us patients.

Thanks, alfonso. I'm glad to find some NM cannabis folk to share info with.

I'd like to support the non-profits. I realize they have invested huge amounts of money and effort to build their businesses. I do occasionally buy edibles and herb from one of them, just to mix it up a bit, 'cause it gets old vaping the same strain every day. Frankly, some of the non-profit herb isn't as good as what I grow. But if I could afford it, I'd just buy all from them, and grow very little. The problem for me is price. Until it gets down to around $50/oz I'm going to be out of that market.

[CFO]

Thanks, alfonso. I'm glad to find some NM cannabis folk to share info with.

I'd like to support the non-profits. I realize they have invested huge amounts of money and effort to build their businesses. I do occasionally buy edibles and herb from one of them, just to mix it up a bit, 'cause it gets old vaping the same strain every day. Frankly, some of the non-profit herb isn't as good as what I grow. But if I could afford it, I'd just buy all from them, and grow very little. The problem for me is price. Until it gets down to around $50/oz I'm going to be out of that market.

Welcome to the forum, allwx and welcome to the NM MCP.

We all wish the price could be like it was in the 60's, but with the limits in place and the high costs to produce so few plants, the price will never go that low IMHO. If you only want to pay $50/ounce you can find Mexican Schwag. I don't think you will be able to find medical grade. Unless you only want trim and shake for edibles. Next year the oldest producers will have a $30,000 relicensing fee to pay to the state. That fee alone represents having to sell 600 ounces (37.5 pounds) at $50/ounce. Just don't see our dreams coming true any time soon.

Have been watching "Weed Wars" on cable and I don't see any NM producer becoming anything like Harborside, but I also don't see medical grade cannabis retailing for $3.12/gram ($50/oz). How do you propose the producers pay all of their bills at that price? The independent growers in CA aren't even [I]wholesaling[I] at that price! I heard $5/gr purchase price from the grower and I would have to believe the dispensaries have to at least double that to the patient. When I hear Harborside report their sales are down $200,000 this year to last year and the IRS has hit them with a $2.5 million tax bill (not including penalties and interest)...I have very little sympathy. Even though the tax bill is based on disallowed costs, the tax represents 35% of only the disallowed expenses of $7.2 million and they have had a profit and have paid income taxes.

If you ever find medical grade at $50/ounce in NM, please share. We would all love to pay that for our medicine. Keep on growing.

[alfonso2002]

Here is a link to DOH and some new numbers New Mexico Department of Health - Medical Cannabis Program (http://nmhealth.org/IDB/mcp_reports.shtml) wow amazed at the avg.per plant weight.The 31/2 oz. seems a little low.So if we go with those numbers If the producers have a 5 plant harvest weekly that is only about 18 oz.s a week to me that don't seem like much.I hope they are talking dry weight. LOL But to be more serious 100 grams a week lets pick a number say 12.00 a gram and you got 5 plants if my numbers are right then that is only 6000.00 weekly. Not a big number when you have utility's, rent, nutes, labor, and things we can't even imagine.Sometimes I feel for them but the ones that can hang-in there in the long run things should work out.OH I am forgetting the renewal fees how could I forget that.In those same numbers the patient count is close to 6000 5495 of those they say the total active number is 4310 but you can read what you want in those numbers.Allwx your friends are right to be worried about there jobs the program offers no protection in your workplace.No need to worry about privacy HIPPAA policy is in place. As far as doctors go there is a problem most need to be educated on medical cannabis. I for one am not ashamed to let ANYONE know about the program and my involvement in it. Pothead??? give me a break that term no longer applies to medical use of cannabis. As you can see I can ramble on and on but just keep up the posting on what you think is relevant.

[allwx]

I have some sympathy for the non-profits. Their costs are huge, especially now that the state is hitting them up for huge annual fees. I just saw that the first NP, SFINM did not renew, and maybe because the $30,000 yearly fee (!!!).

Plus the expense of growing. Yes it costs money to grow well. I've been growing indoors now for 3 years, am still a very dumb newbie at it, but getting better every grow. I know full well how much work and expense goes into growing. Realize $50/oz for med grade is impossible, but that's probably what I spend to grow my own, maybe a little more, but not much, now that the startup expenses have been amortized by 3 years of growing. I'm just saying that in order for me to patrionize the NP any more than I do, the prices would have to be real close to what I'm paying to grow. I imagine most home growers are doing the same math. It's a tough situation for the NP, because the home growers are mostly out of reach to them. After all, their entire market is only around 4k people, and around half of those are growing their own never step foot in a NP. Honestly, I don't know how they do it, with 25 of them and able to grow more than 95 plants now.

That's why I feel for them. In the early days there was near zero supply. Now supply has caught up to demand, and exceeding it, I'm sure. This is why I have a recurring fear that the NPs will pressure the DOH to change the rules, or go to the legislature and pressure them to change the underlying law, such that home grow is either eliminated or modified to make it much more difficult than it already is. They could justify it from at least two good arguments: First, that the home grows are not regulated becuase of lack of staff in the department, so there are fears that the weed is finding its way into the neighborhoods. Second, that the NPs cannot survive unless the ENTIRE market is captive to them. Those two arguments would only have to debate with the libertarian idea that people should have the right to grow their own food. So it would probably lose. I hope that doesn't happen, 'cuase if it does our medicine bill is going to go way up and we're going to have to start using it more like we did with the old moldy bagweed, where it was smoked down to the dirt and stems in the bottom of the bag.

[alfonso2002]

allwx we can dream but I think CFO is right the 50.00 an oz. can't be done growing in doors too many costs involved.Even at 200.00 an oz. is pushing it. I myself am at about 150 an oz. when all my costs are added.But like you say you can take pride in what you grow and you know what was in your product. and yes variety is the spice of life. CFO I too do not have any sympathy for Harborside 22 million in sales a year and yes NM will never be like that. The producers have to grow there OWN med.s here yea they can do business with the other producers as far as product but they can't buy med.s off the street like they do in Ca.

[alfonso2002]

Now now allwx let's don't start getting paranoid that will not happen.DOH would rather have everyone grow there own than to have to oversee all the producers.I think both those arguments are mute and the producers sales are not dependent on those that do grow.there are a lot of PPLs out there but very few that can actually grow there own med.s the cost involved to truly grow medical grade are very very high. Plus the part time job. "I hope that doesn't happen, 'cuase if it does our medicine bill is going to go way up and we're going to have to start using it more like we did with the old moldy bagweed, where it was smoked down to the dirt and stems in the bottom of the bag." I pray for all of us.

[allwx]

I myself am at about 150 an oz. when all my costs are added.

This got me to wondering what exactly my costs are to grow. They probably are more than $50/oz. Especially since I don't grow for massive flowers. I pretty much let the plants enjoy their short lives, have plenty of time to veg and make pretty branches before making them flower. I tend to cut them down earlier than later hopefull while most of the big leaves are still nice and green. I use very little nutrient. Nothing in the first month and never more than about 1/3 to 1/2 the recommendations on the bottles. So while I do get some fairly big flowers, some might consider them small. I don't mind small flowers. They fit more easily into the vape whip without having to be cut up. So, my $/oz ratio most likely is not as good as it could be, and probably higher than $50/oz and maybe closer to your $150.

[alfonso2002]

I too don't mind small buds if the stuff is dank. I try to get as much out of what I plant so I do use quite a bit of nutes> I use foxfarm brand and do mostly organic but I do use a little synthetic. As far as pest control I use only neem oil if that don't fix it I will just pull them and call it a loss.Me too don't like my leaves to die before I harvest but I pull most of the large fan leafs a couple of weeks before I harvest. Those leaves are put in my compost pile. The smaller sugar lefts are used to make butter or oil. We can't afford to not use all that we have. I have had good luck growing clones that I get from producers.That way I get to have a good variety of meds. Don't know what area you are in but here in abq. area no problem finding plants.

[allwx]

I think you're right, alfonso, that lots of people with PPL do not actually grow. It's like most things. Looks easy until you try it, and then you have to decide whether it's worth the hassle. Even with being legal, the question arises. You have to hide it to some degree, like when visitors come, or the furnace guy has to go upstairs. Not that it is shame, but not a good idea to let too much word of knowledge creep out into the world. So there is worry on top of expense. Probably lots of people try growing but don't pursue it long enough to learn how to do it right, get the right equiepment, make plenty of room for it in the house, etc.

[allwx]

I'm in Abq also. Early on I grew out some clones I got from a friend of a friend in Colorado. They were good, but came with spider mites. Other than that, and other than making a few clones for myself, I'm mostly growing from seed. Sure is a hassle from seed, though.

I'm also using the FF stuff, Ocean Forest, Grow Big, Big Bloom, Tiger Bloom. I've always used Don't Bug Me for mites, and have used it to ereadicate bugs I already had, and then I use it preventatively every couple of weeks or so on the assumption that the bugs are there.

I've made butter before, but the taste just gags me. I also have trouble modulating the dose, so if I use a little too much it makes me feel less than good. Right now I'm thinking about bubble hash for the trimmings from what is now in soil. Researching the internets for info about the best equipment and procedures. I sure hate to waste all that lovely sugary trim.

[InsuranceGuy]

Dam InsuranceGuy it must have taken you almost all day to post that.LOL

Nope, copy and paste...works great...LOL

[alfonso2002]

Your right allwx not to good of an idea to advertise that you are growing I am pretty lucky that I have a good sized area to work with not in my living area.Your right again in that it is a full part time job.

[alfonso2002]

Then you do grow some nice bud. How did you make that butter? I add butter to a big pot let it get soft then add trim and bud to the pot mix it alittle then add water then bring to a boil then lower the flame to just over a simmer let it go for 3-4 hours. when done let it cool alittle then use cheesecloth top of a strainer put all your water and bud through it into a gallon plastic pitcher squeeze as much as you can out of the cheesecloth and sit it in the freezer over night next day the water in the pitcheris frozen at this point you will see 3 layers of green colors the very top is what you want I take a bread knife and cut that top layer off and wa la you have butter. If you use the lower layer it will taste bad. but if you use only the top layer you should not get a bad taste. And again you have to use good stuff in your butter. Remember shit in shit out. As for the bubble hash I use bubble bags and they are not cheap. you can do it 2 ways with ice water or dry ice . The dry ice way you come out with more of a kief than what I know as hash. but it is good stuff if you are looking for that rush.

[ManOBuds]

Honey oil is a good way to go also.......

[alfonso2002]

Hay MOB where you been?Hows things going?

[alfonso2002]

Honey oil is a good way to go also.......

That stuff will F you up in a good way

[allwx]

Thnks for the info alfonso... I made butter twice. Both times I did it with a crockpot in water, added a little vodka along the way, let it simmer at very low heat for about 12 hours, then strained and refrigerated. I probbly should have not used the entire cake, maybe that's where I went wrong on the flavor. Man, that stuff was rank. I finally got to where I couldn't stomach it. But it WOULD hit hard. Both times I used a combination of budleaf and small buds. The second time I actually used three oz of cured flowers because I was a bit over the limit... want to play close to the rules. I used a ratio of about five oz material, mixed bud and budleaf (no fans) to 4 lb of good butter.

I'm finished with the butter, though. Now I'm thinking hash. I'm researching bags now. What do you recommend? I've had bubble hash before, and it was very refreshing, a nice alternative to vaping and smoking flowers.

[allwx]

Honey oil is a good way to go also.......

Yeah, I've thought about that, and researched it pretty good on the internets. I went so far as to try extracting a small amount of oil in a tiny rice cooker with isopropyl. I got a bit of oil, but I didn't use it. I think if I ever do this again in any meaningful way, I will use some other more food-grade type of alcohol. The isopropyl kind of scares me. In fact, all of the big chemicals are scary. I'm just enough of a fuzzyheaded klutz that I would blow my beard off.

I've had some candy that was made with hemp oil. Suckers. Kind of funky tasting, but extremely potent. I learned fast that I only needed to eat about 1/3 of one to be happy. More than that, and I was very heavily cannabismedicated.

[alfonso2002]

allwx I use the bubble brand of bags and have the 8 bag system with the washing machine.But even with the machine it is a lot of work. Then you are using ice and your hands tend to get real cold while you are straining you wash.I myself think that it is too much work to do it all the time.But you have to do something with your trim. Waste not want not. But MOB had that Idea if you like the rush you get with hash you can try doing oil. I have made some using 5x refined butane and made some good oil I think that it is basically the same as rick dose but a different extraction system.P.S. yea that stuff can taste nasty if you use all the layers.And I found it easier to freeze the water in plastic container then it is easy to push out and cut top layer off.

[allwx]

OK, I will look for those. I had been thinking only three bags, according to one article I read. I've been wondering the diff between 3 bags or more, up to 8 bags. Is it worth it? Whooboy, I see those bags are expensive. But as you say, waste not, want not. I even hate to waste the keif that sticks to my fingers.

Hard work past two days, flushing my five bonitas. I got some of that Sledgehammer Flush over at AHL. I used it on all five, two gal of flush mix, followed by a gal of standard nute mix. This grow is the first time I've done any flushing. I hope it is worth it, I think it is.

[alfonso2002]

Allwx the three bags will work but it will take longer to strain with just 3 bags.When I trim I make finger hash with what I get off fingers and scissors.here is a link to them also they give a 20% discount to medical patients. freshheadies.com/catalog
I just flush the last week week and a half with plenty of water. Dependes how hard you were hitting them with nutes at the end.Can I ask why you did that gal of nute mix after you flushed?

[allwx]

I just flush the last week week and a half with plenty of water. Dependes how hard you were hitting them with nutes at the end.Can I ask why you did that gal of nute mix after you flushed?

Thanks for the info and link.

Well, last time I flushed, (with just plain RO water), I just ran three gal thru each 3 gal pot. Then, at the end of it, since they were all due for a feeding anyway, I gave each enough nuted mix to force a small amount of run-off from the already wet soil.

This time, I used the Sledgehammer flush stuff, and did the same thing with the nute mix at the end. Again, they were due for a feeding anyway. I alternate feeding with plain RO watering. When they're at this age they usually get watered every day and a half. If they'd been due for just a watering, then I may've not nuted at the end. But, then again, I might've, according to this reasoning: I think I'm pretty light on nutrients. I never use more than a single teaspoon of Grow Big or Tiger per galling. Then once flowering starts I add in only two teaspoons of Big Bloom. Lately I've started adding some Cal-Mag, one teaspoon/gal, because I don't use any tap water at all. So I may be light enough on nutrients that I'm more likely to have a deficiency than an abundance. So that was additional rationale for the nuting after flush.

What thinketh thee? Did I crap all over myself again?

[allwx]

Oh, you must've thought I was close to harvest and flushing my plants the last time. No, this was an intermediate flush. I did one 3 weeks ago just before initiating 12/12, and now this one, and then a last one in three more weeks, which will be approx 2 weeks from harvest at that point.

This grow is the first time I've ever used forced flushing. Before, I'd just stop using all nutrients about two weeks before harvest.

I'm getting more sensitive to details. I'd always noticed the crust buildup in the drip trays, and it had occurred to me that there is a lot of that same salty crap in the soil. Can't be good.

[alfonso2002]

Yea I though it was your last flush. so adding nutes at that time is good. As for flushing I just use plenty of water on any flush.The way I water is that I kind of flush on every watering. by that I mean that I water or feed till I have runoff of 1/4 to 1/2 of what I put in yea it is a lot of work but I think doing that helps with salt buildup.also scratch dirt on top of the pots to help break up surface tension and let my whole planter get wet .I also use a wetting agent SM-90. I'd keep adding molasses even after you stop the nute's at the end just a little 1 tablespoon per gallon. If you are using RO water then you better be Adding cal mag to your water I think I have said that I use tap water that I let sit in buckets that I put air stones in for a day or two that way I don't have to add cal mag.

[allwx]

Looks like we're doing close to the same things. I also overwater on every watering and suck the overflow out immediately with an ear syringe. Roger also on breaking up the topsoil. Never used a wetting agent, though. I'll look into that. Also have never used molassas, though I've heard of it.

Is there any particular type or brand of molassas to recommend. I'm about four to five weeks away from harvest on these, so maybe now is a good time to start with that. I might try it on one or two of the five to see how it makes them compare to the others. This PCK grow I've got going right now has been a bummer. Very persnickity plants. Very slow growing, though some of that may have been due to my not checking my RO water, just assuming it was OK. After using a few gal of it I did check it to find out what I had was at about 8.5. Now I check every gallon for ph.

The water out here on our end of town is way too hard to use on plants. We don't even drink it. OK for showering, though.

[alfonso2002]

The best are brer rabbit blackstrap molasses but when I was looking I had to order from the internet could not find in town since then I did find some at All Seasons hydro. Not the brer brand but Botanicare makes it blackstrap molasses I think it is more expensive than what I got through the internet.What you are looking for is unsulfured molasses. I think the brand you will find at your local store will be a brand called grandmas unsulfured molasses. They are not blackstraped but they will work. And now would be a good time to start using it. I live in the south west part of town and our water is about the same as yours 8 8.5 I use PH down to lower to 6.5 after I have added whatever I am adding.

[allwx]

Hmmm... Brer Rabbit... my dad's favorite breakfast syrup... OK I will look for it, or for the Bontanicare version, thanks. I'm gonna go get some today.

What is the main advantage of using the syrup, from what you've seen yourself? I had understood it is a way to bulk up the flowers and make them more flavorful. I like the idea of flavorful. I've never been real happy with the flavor and aroma experience of what I've grown.

We live on the SW side too. Howdy, neighbor! Our tapwater is about like yours, usually around 8.5 or higher. ph is one thing, but the ppm undissolved solids, according to the water quality report we get, is way high for growing, according to what I've read. Still, if your results are good, then maybe I will consider using more of it. Lord knows we need a little calcium and magnesium. I had used tap in combo with RO water before without any obvious bad effect on the plant in the short term, but I stopped using it altogether based on stuff I read about the dissolved solids. Tapwater sure is easier to use. Hauling that RO water from the store is a pain.

[alfonso2002]

Main reasons are the fatter buds and resin production and then there is the taste your plants need carbohydrates to do those things in a bigger way. OH no for soil growing the tap water will work just fine but you have to let it sit a couple of days.In a hurry but I think I answered what you were asking about.

[alfonso2002]

Main reasons are the fatter buds and resin production and then there is the taste your plants need carbohydrates to do those things in a bigger way. OH no for soil growing the tap water will work just fine but you have to let it sit a couple of days.In a hurry but I think I answered what you were asking about.

The reason you let it sit is that you want to evaporate the chlorine. As far as the other salts in our tap water you don't have to worry about them your plants will use what they need and if you flush a little when you water you will not have too much buildup in your soil.I think you said you are using Fox Farm Ocean Forest Soil if you are then I think you have all that you need in there. That soil is kind of hot so you don't NEED to add anything else BUT if you want to give it a little more muscle I would go with the boosters they are Synthetic Supplements so you are not totally organic but ALLS GOOD.

[Disco Donaldson]

Hey kids,

pelagic420 asked in another thread about turnaround time and thought this thread could use a bump back to the top for those with the curiosity of NMDOH MCP approval turnaround time.

I sent my renewal paperwork in for patient and production cards late July and received my approval early October of this year 2012; the exact calendar days were 61. A little faster than last year, but not too close to the 30 days they promise.

I hope this information is helpful for those who need it. I also hope everyone has a great Holiday season. May your crops be bountiful and very, very medicinal.

DD

TL;DR - 61 day turnaround for renewal paperwork w/ PPL

[CFO]

Renewal app received by DOH on Monday, December 3rd. Will post date when received. With all the money they are receiving now, they should have hired enough staff to be back to 30 days or less. Especially with renewals. We shall see.

[pelagic420]

Hey kids,

pelagic420 asked in another thread about turnaround time and thought this thread could use a bump back to the top for those with the curiosity of NMDOH MCP approval turnaround time.

I sent my renewal paperwork in for patient and production cards late July and received my approval early October of this year 2012; the exact calendar days were 61. A little faster than last year, but not too close to the 30 days they promise.

I hope this information is helpful for those who need it. I also hope everyone has a great Holiday season. May your crops be bountiful and very, very medicinal.

DD

TL;DR - 61 day turnaround for renewal paperwork w/ PPL





Well, I appreciate the insight on the turnaround.. it seems to be a big waiting game. I accidentally sent my app by registered mail.. big mistake..It took 2 weeks to get there , when it is only a 5hr drive. Dont understand that one.. They received it on Nov. 29th, So I will let people know how long it will take..Not holding my breath, but hoping for a late xmas, new yrs present.. Hope everyone is well..

[pelagic420]

yep, a little update here. I sent my app in and certified mail stated that it got there 11/29/12. I called today and they said they accepted it 12/7/12 to be processed. She said it can sit in the mailroom. This has been a long process from appts to paperwork to logistics. One would think that if there is a program in effect, that is indeed for medication it would be more efficient. Im curious if other states are like this.

[XgrimXreeferX]

Totally late and all. But I love that honey oil. All day on the vapor swing keeps me happy. Wish these producers would send clones my way. Or if at least I knew who to ask where is a reliable source for a tight budget. Most producers won't ship here to the se corner. Does anyone know the turnaround on a change of address or if you have to re submit the ppl license fee.
Peace

[alfonso2002]

Your location will make it hard to get clones.I know that Greenleaf delivers to your area but don't know if they will deliver clones for the producers,I do know that New Mexicann has seeds and I do think Greenleaf will deliver them. So I think your best bet it to try from seed. As far as the change of address I do think you will have to send it in I don't think you have to pay again for a change of location. P.S. where did you get your oil?

[XgrimXreeferX]

Well its actually wax but close enough right. And its homemade but def good quality. Corigan said they would do clones but man over a hundred bucks a plant. Plus delivery fee and still drive 120 miles to meet them. Some places will sell unrooted for up to twenty bucks a cutting. But that's a risk twenty bucks a plant that might not root. I guess I jus need to get seeds but I'm more of a clone guy. Idk. I guess maybe I'm a little rediculous for thinking producers should hook it up with free cuttings if they're not rooted. Or atleast no more then 5 a pop. But this program is only compassionate ongiving cards, not in helping patients grow. Idk we'll see I might just have to drive up to abq and get some babies. Thanks for the advice tho.

[CFO]

Well its actually wax but close enough right. And its homemade but def good quality. Corigan said they would do clones but man over a hundred bucks a plant. Plus delivery fee and still drive 120 miles to meet them. Some places will sell unrooted for up to twenty bucks a cutting. But that's a risk twenty bucks a plant that might not root. I guess I jus need to get seeds but I'm more of a clone guy. Idk. I guess maybe I'm a little rediculous for thinking producers should hook it up with free cuttings if they're not rooted. Or atleast no more then 5 a pop. But this program is only compassionate ongiving cards, not in helping patients grow. Idk we'll see I might just have to drive up to abq and get some babies. Thanks for the advice tho.

If you could get through the checkpoints going east out of Las Cruces, you could purchase rooted, 2-week old clones from the producer there for $20. Limited strains. No deliveries out of Las Cruces. There are two patient groups that are helping patients with growing and the local producer will answer questions. Get registerered with them and then contact them for more information.

[alfonso2002]

If you plan on making a trip for clones make sure you call and be sure they will have clones for you.most if not all producers are using there full plant count so very limited amounts of clones are available. And as for help on growing you do the internet so you should be able to get info you need here. If you have never grown indoors I tell all that it will take you at least 11/2 years to get the hang of it .Good Luck with your endeavor's in growing

[XgrimXreeferX]

Lol yeah I can't find anyone with any. Except for one but Im Pretty broke so can't afford those at the moment. Def don't want to risk bringing anything back from LC. Maybe some people have luck but not my cup of dank tea. Lol. Need to find someone willing to kick off a couple cuttings, but let's be realistic lol. Just seems that in other states like co and ca you can get a lot more bang for your buck when it comes to clones. Fully rooted for as cheap as like 8 bucks a plant not buying in bulk. So that's pretty good. And every avg joe sells them. I ordered a couple clones here from a producer earlier this year and they brought me flowering plants like 3-6inches tall. kinda peeved me really Bad. a good waste of my money cause they all died in the process of trying to revert to veg. not something you expect from a licensed producer. Just wish we had a better system in our state. Cause if I'm struggling I can only imagine how many others are too.

[CFO]

Happy New Year, all.

Check with the Ruidoso producer. No checkpoints to worry about.

[alfonso2002]

Well if it was corrigan then it was something you could have expected.I still say your best bet is to do some seeds.

[XgrimXreeferX]

Yeah seeds prolly is my best bet. And the producer that brought me flowering clones was budding hope. Not what they advertised the would bring me. The high dollar ones are from corigan. Which id like to try sometime in the future when i cab afford it. I don't shop around much on producers so I guess I don't really know which stores are legit and here to help. Does anyone know if a toda Madre strain by corigan really has that high levels of CBD.

[alfonso2002]

Yes it did test at around 7 % but the way they went about the pricing was not right.Now there are a few producers that have strains that are high on CBD's so you should be able to find a limited amount in the market place.

[CFO]

Yeah seeds prolly is my best bet. And the producer that brought me flowering clones was budding hope. Not what they advertised the would bring me. The high dollar ones are from corigan. Which id like to try sometime in the future when i cab afford it. I don't shop around much on producers so I guess I don't really know which stores are legit and here to help. Does anyone know if a toda Madre strain by corigan really has that high levels of CBD.
Check with all of the producers. Corrigan got some publicity on their A Todo Madre but then I understand they just renamed Harlequin. I could be wrong. I also understand that AK47 is testing high. I don't think any strain is worth $800 per ounce. Not sure how they establish their pricing or how any of the patients on the program can afford such a price.

[alfonso2002]

Your right again CFO

[XgrimXreeferX]

$800 per ounce? Are you serious? That's rediculous!

[pelagic420]

got card at almost 60 days of being sent out..about 50, if you date it when they say they recieved it..A little bit sluggish around there.. A lot of hoops and financial investment to get into this program.. Hope its worth it:).. Hope everyone is well

[CFO]

Hand delivered application on December 3rd for a 3rd time renewal. Had to change doctors, but the MS is still the same original condition. Was told it had to go to the Medical Director for approval due to the change in doctors. Card arrived in today's mail. I am hoping the producers will sound off about this at their next meeting with DOH. This is ridiculous. The LACUA states clearly "30 days". It does NOT say 30 "business" days. We, the patients, pay the fees the producers submit for their annual renewal by purchasing the medicine from the LNPP. My calculations comes to .... (4 x $30K) + (19 x 20K) = $500,000. How can DOH do anything except run an efficient program with that kind of money??? This is BS that it took 2 months!

[alfonso2002]

A co-worker sent in her renewal 60 days before it was to expire thinking it was taking 45 to 60 days. Yesterday she got her cards at day 30 thats 30 days before it expires.Not sure what is going on at DOH but is shows that they can do a renewal in 30 days.

[CFO]

Glad to hear some people are getting their cards in a timely manner. Since doctors change their minds about participating in the program, the patient's application should NOT have to go for medical director approval for a continuing condition....even if the patient had to go to a new doctor.

[pelagic420]

well, just my opinion on the whole matter,, postcard delivery.. It seems like there is a lot of laziness, or inefficiency from the whole system.. from top to bottom. It is hard on the pt that relies on this medication for daily functionality. I can understand an program requiring time to get there crap together. However, this program has been going on since 2007, and it is 2013. It seems like 60 days for a card is the norm.. good example, is. Once your application gets recieved, it can actually sit in the mailroom for about a week before it even gets signed in. The problem, seems, it is not a priority, and is not seen as amedication but an compensatory adjustment that can wait. From a positive perspective, at least our state recognizes it, and hopefully will get more recognition as more of a priority than some thing that can wait. The renewal info, is good news.. Seems like you gotta get your paperwork in early, and make sure you used the right/same doc..

[trister]

Received my card 22 days later (not business) after mailing to the DOH. I believe you can get the card much quicker if you don't apply for the ppl at the same time.

Now on to the producers.. Anyone vouch for cg or verdes quality..?

Thanks.

[CFO]

Received my card 22 days later (not business) after mailing to the DOH. I believe you can get the card much quicker if you don't apply for the ppl at the same time.

Now on to the producers.. Anyone vouch for cg or verdes quality..?

Thanks.
Wonderful news that you received your card in 22 days. We have been told repeatedly that the PPL application needs to go in at the same time since the PPL expires on the same date as the patient license. I just think it is due to them being unable to retain staff. The revolving door in that department doesn't help the situation. And yes, if they were more compassionate (which they should be in this business) they would push the apps through as quickly as possible.

[FoxyFoxy]

Hello Everyone, I also received my card in less than 30 days (not business). :thumbsup: Now my concern is that the manager in my apartment complex is going to kick me out if he smells my meds. :(

[CFO]

Hello Everyone, I also received my card in less than 30 days (not business). :thumbsup: Now my concern is that the manager in my apartment complex is going to kick me out if he smells my meds. :(
Hey Foxy. You probably should ask your landlord the rules of the complex. My apt manager just said no growing and not around kids. Good luck.

[NMBRIEFRELIEF]

Hello Everyone, I also received my card in less than 30 days (not business). :thumbsup: Now my concern is that the manager in my apartment complex is going to kick me out if he smells my meds. :(


well what you really need to look at is you lease agreement or contract. Your Medical Cannabis is state law. Now unless your lease says specifically no Medical Cannabis then your ok. now the growing is a litle different but the same in a lot of ways. again look at your lease agreement if it specifically says no cultivation of narcotics or "a drug free zone" then you cant. and about the kid thing the DOH will not approve of the PPL if you do not have adequate security for the grow. meaning no kids will have access to the grow or medication. only then will the DOH approve.

[GATXBUCK]

Its been 2 weeks since I sent in my paperwork.I found this site/thread a few days before sending it and decided to hold off on sending paperwork for PPL until after I receive my card in hopes of getting it in 20 days or so (fingers crossed).I have a question...Ive started researching some producer info and the half dozen Ive seen so far require you to register with them and wait a few days to a week or more before getting approved to purchase product.Are they all like this or are there any that have same day service?If not,which ones may have the shortest wait time?Any info/advice will be much appreciated...thanks.

[alfonso2002]

I am not sure if you have to wait at any of the producers now that was in the old days.For sure I know at Greenleaf you can buy
the same day you register.

[GATXBUCK]

Thanx...I believe Greenleaf is the closest one to me,sounds like a good place to start.Day 16 and counting...

[alfonso2002]

30 to 45 days

[GATXBUCK]

Received my card in 27 days (from the day they received my paperwork).Good experience w/Greenleaf...quik and painless registration,great product.

[alfonso2002]

Nice that they are putting them out on time . Good to hear about your experience with Greenleaf.

[jsainz]

20 days, impromptu hello as well :)