The names are blacked out. But it's still possible to learn a lot from reading the applications the state Department of Health has received from people seeking approval to produce medical marijuana.

New Mexico has one approved provider, but 25 other groups are hoping to become the next.

By state mandate, all of the applicants are nonprofits with a board that includes medical marijuana patients and at least one medical professional. But their applications vary widely.

One applicant boasts a fourth-generation farmer as its greenhouse operator and licensed general contractor as its operations manager.

Another would reportedly include one of Canada's first medical cannabis growers (an owner of a women's clothing store in Pasadena, Calif.) on its board. She'd be joined by a former deputy sheriff who served as an infantry medic in Vietnam and a criminal defense attorney.

One would-be provider plans to conduct board elections via secret ballot. Another wants to hold its annual meeting on the April 20 each year. (The term "4-20" is part of pot-smoking culture, thus the date.)

One organization proposes to grow medical marijuana on a "seven-acre tract of land located outside the northern city limits of town." Other proposed locations for growing the herb include "out on a rural property in southwestern New Mexico," and "a warehouse strip center."

Nearly all applicants would employ elaborate security measures. Some would deliver their product, others proposed selling it over the counter. One applicant vows that its delivery drivers will carry two-way radios and drive vehicles equipped with GPS tracking devices.

All of the applications list ways for ingesting the product — medicated red velvet cupcakes anyone? — and many offer elaborate menus featuring the names of strains of the herb and the ailments each is best for treating.

Apollo 13 is good for treating back pain, according to one applicant; while Cripple Creek alleviates some of the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis and hepatitis C; and a combination of Herijuana and Trainwreck should be used to treat the symptoms of neuropathy, joint paint and insomnia.

One applicant stated that "brick/schwagg" (street slang for low quality marijuana) would be available by "special order only."

Many of the would-be-providers also supplied information about the effects marijuana, most recommended self-regulated dosing and stress the near impossibility of inhaling a lethal overdose of the product.

Health department spokesman Chris Minnick said staff has conducted visits to seven of the proposed production sites and will discuss the outcome of those visits with Department Secretary Alfredo Vigil next week.

Minnick declined to speculate on when the next provider might be approved. "Our goal is doing it right rather than doing it fast," Minnick said.

Contact Phaedra Haywood at 986-3068 or phaywood@sfnewmexican.com.