New Mexico hires “weed police officers”

The Cannabis Control Division of New Mexico is expanding the enforcement with certified peace officers in order to act against illegal operations and protect the legal cannabis industry.

In March 2025, the State of House Act 10 passed and authorized the Department of Regulation and License to hire seven certified peace officers who are devoted to the enforcement of cannabis license laws. These new leading employees have authorized to examine not licensed growth, to issue criminal charges and to carry out search commands – beyond the current administrative penalties.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham supported the law and emphasized his role in the protection of legitimate companies from illegal competition and protected consumer security.

The extended enforcement agency marks a decisive change. The cannabis control department was only able to impose civil punishment in cannabis control and transfer criminal proceedings to the local law enforcement authorities. Now the state can tackle the non -licensed cannabis activity directly.

The stakeholders emphasized the need for balance: the properly licensed operators deserve protection. However, critics warn that aggressive police work could threaten smaller producers without sufficient resources to navigate the license complexity.

Officials expect the new “weed policemen” to begin setting soon, with the funds from the existing cannabis regulating budgets. The governor's signature is pending and is expected this summer.