The state of New Mexico will issue ID cards to medical-marijuana users, allow qualified patients to grow their own marijuana, and permit nonprofit groups to produce and distribute the drug to medical users under final regulations released last week.

The Denver Post reported Jan. 9 that the state's medical-marijuana law went into effect in 2007, but rules regarding the legal use, production and distribution of the drug have only now been finalized.

To date, the state Department of Health has received 207 applications from individuals seeking to become certified medical-marijuana users, but so far no nonprofits have applied to become marijuana producers or distributors.

The agency also is empowered to monitor medical users to ensure that they are complying with the law.