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MALAGA, N.M. — Agents with a regional drug task force raided a man's home in southeastern New Mexico and seized several marijuana plants, sparking the latest debate over the state's new medical marijuana law.

Wheelchair-bound and suffering from chronic pain and muscle spasms, Leonard French says he's certified by the state Health Department to possess and smoke marijuana. The 44-year-old lost the use of his legs after a motorcycle crash about 20 years ago.

French is one of 38 people sanctioned by the state to use marijuana. His house in Malaga — just north of the New Mexico-Texas state line, south of Carlsbad — was raided on Aug. 28.

Law enforcement agencies have asked the New Mexico Department of Health to inform them about patients who are certified to have marijuana, but department spokeswoman Deborah Busemeyer said doing so would violate federal patient privacy laws.

In a news release, the task force stated its agents did not know French had state permission to use marijuana until after the raid.

While no charges have been filed against French, the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force said federal drug charges are possible.

A state law that took effect this summer allows marijuana use for pain or other symptoms of debilitating illnesses, such as cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV-AIDS and certain spinal cord injuries.