No, I didn't bother with Dr. Virgil, I know better already..

Only _elected_ officials have the power to make changes...They have something to Lose. Anybody is is in an appointed position is not going to do anything to "rock the boat". It should be pretty clear by now that MM is not on Dr. Virgil's agenda. No doubt he'd like it all to "go away", same thing with the meth problems here.

Sure I can call that office and leave a message, that will be taken by a secretary of the voicemail. I wouldn't doubt that the direction is "ignore calls on MM issues, we're doing the best we can"

On the other hand, calling my favorite congressman's office always gains a positive and concerned response.

You think the bill to implement an excise tax on MM went away all by itself?

NOBODY wanted to vote for it..because everybody wants to be reelected next term. A thousand or two votes can make a difference in any New Mexico election. Remember what happened when everybody got the idea that Starbucks was against MM?

Nobody in government wants to be the one with the label "implemented MM", however, when it's the voice of the voters..well that's a different story

What we need is legislation that more or less states:

"The DOH will approve 10%< like to see it at 25% actually> of all dispensary applications that meet a FIXED set of standards, not the ambiguous documents that have both boards I'm on scratching their heads to try to figure out what needs to be in there to get approved next time around.
Or some cleverly worded legislation that assures a good ratio of patient to dispensor.

Funding is the real issue as I've mentioned numerous times..where does funding come from?....not from Dr. Virgil's budget requests...he has two guys running the MM and Needle exchange/hiv program in the state. Disgraceful at best.

The state has a so called hiring freeze on, but not really

<<ok here comes the soapbox..again>>

Unless the elected reps get a clear message that MM patients are going to vote against them next time, they are not inclined to introduce any legislation that is going to give patients in this state what they need.

Which is why I made the point of giving direction to folks who want to contact their reps.

Phone calls to the DOH are falling on deaf ears I'm afraid, they are too busy processing patient apps and no doubt Dr. Virgil ( who want to keep his job) is kowtowing to the vocal majority who don't want to see NM turn into the next Colorado or California.

I'll call Dr. Virgils office till my ear turns blue, but I'd bet three letters to my local reps will get far more attention