SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday afternoon signed Senate Bill 139, ensuring New Mexico’s medical cannabis program is reserved for New Mexico residents and reciprocal patients enrolled in out-of-state programs, as was the intention of legislation approved in 2019.

Senate Bill 139, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, corrected a drafting error in the 2019 update of New Mexico’s medical cannabis law, the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act.

Senate Bill 139 restores the original definition of a “qualified patient” as a “resident of New Mexico.” Reciprocal patients who have enrolled in medical cannabis programs of other U.S. states are also eligible to participate.

The law takes effect immediately. Out-of-state residents who applied for and received access to New Mexico’s medical cannabis program in the last year will not be able to renew their cards upon their expiration.