Alva Review-Courier -

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's top health official has rejected state Medical Cannabis Advisory Board recommendations to add opiate dependence and Alzheimer's disease to the list of conditions that qualify a person to legally buy medical marijuana.

State Health Secretary Lynn Gallagher rejected the recommendations on Wednesday. Gallagher said she's concerned about opiate abuse both in New Mexico and across the U.S., but she isn't certain whether cannabis would be a safe or effective treatment. She cited a lack of scientific research to support the argument that cannabis can offer relief...