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Measured against most metrics, our Medicaid program is a model of efficiency. No Medicaid program is perfect, but our model is reflective of a vibrant medical community, which is competitive, innovative and delivers the greatest bundle of health care services with an already underfunded program in relationship to the demand. If more dollars were made available, monies should be invested in expanding health care in our rural communities, increasing behavioral health funding, supporting more care for the developmentally disabled and ensuring our long-term care providers can continue to fulfill their mission. Cutting Medicaid funding to our already frail delivery system like hospitals means making access and affordability much harder for populations that need health care the most.

As previously reported, health care makes up about one quarter of the northern New Mexico job market. Making cuts to this sector is disastrous to our communities.

There is not a Medicaid spending problem in New Mexico; there is a revenue shortfall problem in New Mexico.

Very few alternatives to harmful budget cuts have been considered thus far. Health care advocacy groups have suggested increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol to bridge the gap; they have not, however, proposed a percentage of increase or investigated how much of a dent that increase would make in the budget shortage. At this point, it is clear the gap won’t be closed without slashing major programs or finding an entirely new source of revenue. So where is the state to turn?

Enter the argument for the legalization of the social use of cannabis on a statewide level.

Conservative estimates based on the social use of cannabis and increased sales taxes in neighboring states indicate that recurring revenues could be in the range of $75 million to $100 million annually.

The social use of cannabis becomes an incredibly viable option for dependable state revenues, and $100 million in revenue could generate a federal match of up to $300 million if fully directed to Medicaid.

New Mexico is considering extensive budget cuts and changes in areas where its citizens need funding the most. Not considering a revenue source which could add $400 million to our economy and meets the criteria of good health is not fiscally or socially responsible.

Fortunately, in New Mexico we have made great strides in expanding medical cannabis to treat the physical and mental well-being of our people. The time has come to also address the social well-being of our people.

We need to remove cannabis from the unregulated illegal market. Similar to alcohol and tobacco, we should legalize, regulate and tax the adult social use of cannabis in New Mexico. Salud New Mexico, approve the social use of cannabis and adequately fund Medicaid.