Legal weed stores in New Mexico open April 1st. Here’s what you need to know
Congratulations New Mexico!
After waiting nearly a year since legalizing marijuana for all adults last April, on April 1, 2022, New Mexicans ages 21 and older will finally get their chance to legally buy the plant.
Here’s what you can expect when pharmacies open their doors to customers used by adults.
When do shops actually open?
It’s not an April Fool’s joke. New Mexico’s 118 medical marijuana dispensaries will be licensed to all adults beginning Friday morning, April 1, 2022.
Where are the open retail stores?
The Leafly app currently lists New Mexico’s medical pharmacies here. On April 1, 2022, we will also list all adult cannabis businesses. (Hint: They are the same.)
Later this week we will be releasing a full website page to help you find stores in your city.
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Navigating the Leafly app
How much can I buy?
Any adult 21 years or older can legally purchase and possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis, 16 grams of cannabis extract, or up to 800 milligrams of edible cannabis at one time. Budtenders (pharmacy workers) help you keep track of your total as you shop.
Which products can I buy?
All product types currently available at New Mexico medical marijuana dispensaries will be available to customers for adult use. However, the strength and formulations for customers used by adults may differ from the medicinal version, as medicinal patients are allowed to receive higher THC dosages per pack.
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What’s it like in a legal marijuana store?
Very much like a well designed, well lit and kept clean retail boutique. Cannabis stores are designed to put customers at ease, and most stores connect each customer to a budtender to answer any questions you may have. The products are stored in glass showcases or shelves. Customers usually don’t handle the goods. It’s not because the branch manager doesn’t trust you. In many states, strict regulations prohibit customers from handling the goods prior to purchase.
Is there enough grass? Will the stores go out?
New Mexico pharmacy owners have vowed to stock their shelves generously during the first few weeks of retail sales to ensure every customer can find the products they want. They’ve learned from Nevada, Maine, Illinois, and several other states that have suffered inventory shortages of varying degrees after being overwhelmed by thousands of new adult-use customers.
Sure there will be lines. But they won’t be too bad.
New Mexico is way ahead of many other new states for adult use thanks to the sheer number of medical dispensaries opening on April 1st. The Land of Enchantment currently has 118 medical marijuana dispensaries in operation. All 118 will be licensed to sell adult-use cannabis products on April 1, 2022.
For comparison, neighboring Nevada had just over 30 dispensaries selling adult products on the first day of legal sale in 2017. Arizona had less than 70 stores ready for sale on the first Rec Day.
A larger number of pharmacies theoretically means that customers spend less time in line. But on day one, the excitement surrounding the history-making event will draw large crowds. Come and enjoy the excitement, dress for the weather and make new friends.
Most pharmacies keep normal opening hours
Strict regulations in several counties and cities will prevent nearly all pharmacies in the state from hosting midnight celebrations or staying open 24 hours on launch day. In fact, the lion’s share of weed shops will have the same opening hours as usual. Only a few open an hour or two earlier or close later than normal.
Wait times will improve
Pharmacies will be significantly more crowded on the first weekend of the state’s retail sales launch. But the lines will eventually shrink and disappear as pharmacies adjust their staffing levels to meet consumer demand. Medical pharmacies in other states report seeing about two to four times as many customers a day once the Rec is rolled out, but they’re usually adapting quickly and becoming more efficient.
Adult marijuana is taxed
Cannabis for adult use is subject to an excise tax of 12%, which is in addition to state and local sales taxes.
Home growing is legal
Limited home growing is legal in New Mexico for all adults 21 years and older. As of April 2021, adults may own up to six mature plants per person, with a maximum of 12 plants per household. This regulation will not change when pharmacies begin selling the plant for adult use on April 1, 2022.
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More shops are on the way
From April 1st you will have 118 stores to choose from. But that number will almost certainly increase in the coming months. New Mexico has no cap on licenses, according to state spokesman Heather Brewer, and opening a retail cannabis business will be as simple as “applying to be a barber.”
The state is also developing a micro-business cannabis loan program to help New Mexico corner shops compete with large multi-state operators.
Medical cannabis is not going away
And medicines are allowed to contain a much stronger potency than adult products. Similar to almost every other state used by adults, New Mexico allows medicinal products to contain up to 500mg of THC, while recreational cannabis treats cannot contain more than 100mg of THC.
To purchase medical marijuana, you still need a state-issued medical marijuana patient card.
Is there a cancellation procedure for previous convictions related to cannabis?
Individuals convicted of cannabis possession crimes for what is now considered a legal amount of weed will be automatically renewed and erased under last year’s Senate Bill 2.
Cities and municipalities cannot ban cannabis shops
New Mexico law prevents a local municipality from enacting moratoriums or outright bans on adult cannabis businesses. However, local governments have a say in regulating or banning cannabis consumption lounges.
Limited advertising for cannabis
Cannabis retail stores are not allowed to advertise in local newspapers, on television, radio or on public transport.
Leafly lists legal medical marijuana dispensaries in New Mexico and will become public effective June 1.
No credit or debit cards allowed
Bring ID and cash. Until banks receive federal approval to work with cannabis companies, or until federal agencies legalize the plant, most financial institutions will refuse to work with federally licensed cannabis companies.
Chris Kudialis
Chris Kudialis is a Las Vegas-based cannabis reporter. He has written articles for the Los Angeles Times, Las Vegas Sun, Charlotte Observer, Houston Chronicle, Detroit Free Press, and Brazil’s Rio Times, among others.
Check out Chris Kudialis’ articles
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