Tag: New Mexico

Federal Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have in recent weeks seized more than $300,000 worth of cannabis products from state-licensed cannabis operators in New Mexico, KRQE reports. The seizures have been carried out during routine CBP checkpoints located in the state’s southern region near the U.S.-Mexico border. “Normally they don’t have dogs,” said Top Crop Cannabis Co.’s Operations Manager Nick Spoor in the report. “Usually it’s just a, ‘Are you a U.S. citizen, yes’ and then they wave you through.” But… Read more.

Federal officials have been seizing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of marijuana from state-licensed cannabis businesses in New Mexico in recent weeks—detaining industry workers in what appears to be a localized escalation of national prohibition enforcement even as the federal government has largely refrained from interfering with the implementation of state legalization laws in recent years. New Mexico marijuana businesses report that the more than dozen U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seizures, particularly at interior checkpoints around the… Read more.

An enduring argument against the legalization of cannabis suggests that legalizing access might prompt a rise in cannabis use among youth. However, as states nationwide forge ahead with reform efforts, ongoing research sheds light on the validity of this claim. Fresh from a recent study revealing the prevalence of Delta-8 THC usage among high school seniors—a hemp-derived cannabinoid readily available beyond the legal cannabis sector and in states both with and without cannabis programs—some may ponder the extent of teen cannabis… Read more.

The Cannabis Control Division (CCD) of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department on Tuesday revoked the licenses of two adult-use cannabis cultivators, the agency said in a press release. The operators in question — Bliss Farm and Native American Agricultural Development Company (NAADC), both located in Torrance County — were said to have exceeded the legal plant count limits and failed to properly utilize the state’s mandatory track-and-trace system. Regulators noted at both locations signs of a recent harvest without… Read more.

New Mexico’s legal marijuana retailers sold more than $47 million of combined adult-use and medical marijuana products in September, according to new data from the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department (RLD). While that marks a slight decline from the state’s $48 million monthly sales record set in August, the state has now reached the benchmark of half a billion dollars of recreational marijuana products being purchased since sales launched in April of last year. Since then, sales of adult-use marijuana… Read more.

The New Mexico Attorney General’s office is investigating a cannabis facility for alleged wage theft and human or labor trafficking, KOB 4 reports. While the AG’s office has confirmed the investigation, no arrests have been made. According to the report, there were several signs written in both English and Mandarin at the facility and several Chinese people were transported to Albuquerque for medical care.   One of the workers, through a translator, told KOB 4 that the raid was a “mistake.”   “They did have lots… Read more.

The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department on Tuesday filed a petition seeking a preliminary injunction against Sawmill Sweet Leaf, LLC, alleging the company has been diverting cannabis out of state and manufacturing cannabis concentrate without a permit.   In a statement, Linda Trujillo, superintendent of the Regulation and Licensing Department, said “A key component of compliance actions is the ability to suspend licenses immediately if they pose an instant threat to the health, safety and lives of consumers.”  Regulators are accusing Sawmill Sweet… Read more.

An Albuquerque, New Mexico cannabis retailer last week had their license revoked for selling cannabis products from California. On July 13, the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department ordered Paradise Distro LLC to terminate sales immediately.   It is the first time state regulators have revoked a cannabis business license in the state.   In a statement, Regulation and Licensing Department Superintendent Linda Trujillo said the “revocation should serve as a warning to those selling or receiving out-of-state cannabis products.” According to the Licensing Department, Cannabis… Read more.

There’s no denying that cannabis is a booming industry in New Mexico. But a new report from the state’s Department of Workforce Solutions reveals the impact on the job market. As of the end of 2022, more than 4,600 workers had joined the cannabis wave in New Mexico, the report notes. Most of those (88.3%) worked in dispensaries. Dispensaries made up the vast majority of cannabis-related businesses in the state. There are over 100 retail dispensers to every 10 cannabis manufacturers and… Read more.

New Mexico is rolling out its first media campaign to educate the public about responsible cannabis use, the Associated Press reports. The “Yes & Know” campaign is centered around the phrase “Yes – cannabis is legal. Know – the rules,” and will be featured on billboards, TV, radio, print, and digital advertisements throughout this month. The ad buy is worth $400,000.  Linda Trujillo, who heads the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, which oversees the cannabis division, told the AP that state officials “recognize… Read more.

Eric Merryman’s mother was diagnosed with stage 4 fallopian tube cancer several years ago. So he searched for non-traditional medicine that would help her through her battle. Through a little research, he discovered the benefits of cannabis and decided he would attain a license to grow his own — in part because he didn’t trust the plant material out in the market — to make the medicine for his mom. Eventually, Merryman’s interest in cannabis — along with that of… Read more.

The New Mexico Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments about whether roadside impairment testing for alcohol can be used to check for cannabis impairment, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports. The defendant, Nina Luna, was convicted of driving under the influence and speeding in 2018 after a state police officer pulled her over in Albuquerque and determined she was driving while impaired by cannabis.  Following the traffic stop, the officer described in his report that Luna’s eyes were red and watery and she had… Read more.

Colorado-based cannabis multistate operator Schwazze is deepening its presence in New Mexico with the planned acquisition of certain assets belonging to Sucellus. The acquisition of not-for-profit Everest Apothecary is valued at approximately $38 million, according to a news release. The transaction involves 14 dispensaries, a cultivation facility and a manufacturing plant. Schwazze will pay a combination of cash, a four-year seller note and company common stock. The deal, subject to approval by state regulators, is expected to close in the second quarter… Read more.

Schwazze will now own 32 dispensaries between Everest Apothecary and R. Greenleaf. Denver-based Medicine Man Technologies Inc., which operates as Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ), has signed definitive documents to acquire a batch of cannabis assets in New Mexico. The acquisition will allow Schwazze to manage Everest Apothecary, a non-profit corporation operating in the state. The proposed transaction includes 14 retail dispensaries, a cultivation facility, and a manufacturing plant. Upon completion of the acquisition, Schwazze will have a total of 32 dispensaries in New… Read more.

The governor of New Mexico has approved a bill to fulfill a key goal of the state’s marijuana legalization law by facilitating automatic expungements for prior cannabis convictions. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed the legislation from Reps. Andrea Romero (D) and Javier Martínez (D) late last week. While the legislature did include automatic expungements and resentencing provisions in the state’s 2021 legalization law, the courts have experienced technical issues with processing certain cases. The now-signed bill seeks to resolve those problems… Read more.

The governor of New Mexico is marking the one-year anniversary of the state’s adult-use marijuana market, touting its more than $300 million in sales since last April as well as the thousands of jobs the cannabis industry has created. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) said on Monday that sales have been steady throughout the past year, with March’s haul setting the monthly record at $32.3 million in recreational marijuana purchases. In addition to the $300.1 million year-end sales total for… Read more.

The one-year anniversary of recreational cannabis has people feeling good. Officials say it's boosting the economy, and local dispensaries say expectations have been shattered. Both agree the ceiling for this industry in New Mexico has been raised. "New Mexico has been getting high for a year now, and it's been bringing in some great revenue. More than we anticipated,” said Scott Prisco. Revenue of $400 million, to be more specific. The Regulation and Licensing Department says it's an investment. “That… Read more.

Santa Fe calls itself “The City Different” in New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment, but could it change you into a different person while visiting? Less than six hours by car from Denver, Santa Fe is close enough for a weekend away or for spring break without a long flight. Yet this small city is like a world away from the Front Range in terms of the vibe and activities. From art to a transformational retreat, there are many mind-altering —… Read more.

A bill in New Mexico would create two new programs funded by cannabis excise tax revenues, including a community reinvestment grant fund and a substance use disorder prevention and treatment fund, KRQE reports. Currently, all cannabis excise tax revenues are sent into the state’s general fund.  Under the measure, a third of the taxes collected from adult-use sales would be used for those programs. State Rep. Andrea Romero (D), one of the bill’s sponsors, noted that the current version of the bill does not specify that the money would… Read more.

The first two months of 2023 have shown expansive interest in bold drug policy reform in state legislatures across the country—most recently, with the introduction of numerous new bills touching on everything from psychedelics legalization to authorizing safe drug consumption sites. Lawmakers in several states will conduct hearings on such reform proposals over the next week. The marijuana legalization movement continues to spread and evolve, but it’s become quickly apparent this session that legislators are eager to more holistically move… Read more.