Some people may be against the idea of medical marijuana, especially the expansion of users. But at the same time there are those who firmly believe it could help hundreds if not thousands of New Mexicans with severe diseases. “This program is for people who can't and are not getting relief from traditional types of medication, so that's why this option is available to them,” said Chris Minnick of the New Mexico Department of Health. And the option became available in 2007 under Gov. Bill Richardson. Since then medical marijuana has proven to be something wanted by many ill New Mexicans. “Today we've had almost 1,000 people sign up for the program, we have about 850 active patients right now,” said Minnick. So with 15 current medical conditions that would qualify a sick person to seek the help of marijuana, the state is now looking to expand the list. “We're looking at five new conditions for the medical cannabis program,” said Minnick. If the secretary of the department of health approved the new conditions they would include those with Hepatitis-C undergoing non-antiviral treatment, cluster headaches, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Blepharospasm. But even after almost Two years with the program the idea behind medical marijuana is still a big debate. “I’m against the whole thing, I just don't think it's proper. Marijuana is marijuana,” said Edward Hynes of southeast Las Cruces. “I'm all for anything that's going to help people with illness,” said Donnie Carroll of northwest Las Cruces. Often times many people are against it because they feel the program can be taken advantage of. Minnick doesn’t foresee that happening. “We're very strict with the rules, we're very diligent with how we're approaching the rules and how we're setting up the production and distribution system,” he said. “It's never going to work,” said Hynes. “Maybe it will start out that way then it will get laxed and people will be making more amendments.” A medical advisory board held a public hearing Friday in Santa Fe for the consideration of the other five conditions. The board will then make recommendations to the department secretary who will make the final decision.