New Mexico Extends Re-Enrollment Period For Pot Patients

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials are extending the enrollment period by up to 60 days for patients who need to renew their certification for the state's medical marijuana program. The announcement was made Friday on the Health Department's website. Officials say state and local law enforcement agencies have been alerted about the temporary change, which affects those whose cards expire between June 15 and December 31, 2016. The move comes as the state tries to whittle down a backlog of applications for both new patients and those seeking renewals. The department says it's taking about 42 days to process applications, or about a week beyond normal. The program has grown exponentially, increasing from about 14,000 patients in 2015 to more than 26,000 as of this summer.