N.M.’s State-Sanction Marijuana Grower Readies First Crop

The first and only state-approved grower of medical marijuana in the U.S. will begin dispensing the drug to patients in New Mexico as early as the end of the summer, KOB-TV reported June 10.

The New Mexico Health Department is prohibited by law from revealing the identity or location of the grower, but the producer is based in Sandoval County, according to the Santa Fe Reporter.

Deborah Busemeyer, a spokesman for the Health Department, confirmed that the grower is currently working on a supply and that there are 11 additional nonprofit groups awaiting approval to grow medical marijuana. To be approved to grow marijuana in New Mexico, a nonprofit must have a staff doctor and a strong system of security. Restrictions for producers include a limit to how many plants they may grow.

For the past two years, New Mexico’s medical-marijuana patients have had to depend on their own supply of the drug or turn to illegal dealers.