New Mexico is considering changes to limit recreational cannabis tourism

Regulators in New Mexico held a public hearing this week to discuss the rules for the state’s upcoming recreational cannabis market.

The state’s regulatory and licensing department and cannabis control department responded to questions and comments from the public during the hearing last Thursday about the rules that will apply to cannabis retailers and manufacturers.

According to the local NM Political Report website, comments at the hearing varied “from proposed regulations for packaging requirements, general business practices, to cannabis deliveries to businesses and homes”.

The meeting was highlighted by the appearance of Katy Duhigg, a Democratic State Senator who also serves as a cannabis attorney in Albuquerque. Duhigg “brought up a number of issues that she said she wanted to change and offered specific suggestions,” the website says. It was reported that it “contradicts a proposed requirement that cannabis producers must demonstrate that they have access to water rights because production does not necessarily use water as it does in cultivation.”

“Requiring all manufacturers to demonstrate water rights for their use is unreasonable in my opinion, because for some of them it simply won’t be a factor,” said Duhigg, quoted by NM Political Report.

New Mexico lawmakers passed a law legalizing adult cannabis use during a special session this spring. The law was enacted in April by Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. This means big things for New Mexico as it will have a legal cannabis industry for the first time ever.

Legislators had failed to pass a legalization bill during the regular 60-day session, prompting Grisham to convene a special session to get the proposal across the finish line.

“The unique circumstances of the public health safeguards meeting prevented the measures from crossing the finish line at my call, in my opinion,” Grisham said at the time. “While I applaud the legislature and the staff for their incredible perseverance and productivity during the 60 days in the face of these challenges, we must and will take these initiatives together for the benefit of the people and the future of our great state.”

Grisham’s office specifically named the legalization law as the reason for the special session.

“With a general, widespread agreement on the importance of the legalization initiative, the governor intends to enforce the final passing of this potentially significant economic factor, which is estimated to create over 11,000 jobs and ensure that New Mexico does not fall behind. More and more states are adopting adult legalization of cannabis “Said the governor’s office at the time.

The extra time proved effective as New Mexico lawmakers soon passed the Cannabis Regulation Act, which legalized the recreational use of cannabis for adults 21 and older.

The new law officially went into effect on June 29th, allowing such adults to have up to two ounces of cannabis outside their home (and even more inside their home).

According to the Cannabis Regulation Act, regulated marijuana sales must begin by April 1, 2022.

At the public hearing last Thursday, attendees like Duhigg addressed some of the bill’s provisions, including one requiring cannabis producers “to demonstrate they have legal access to water after many citizens raised concerns about New Mexico’s water shortages.” according to the NM Political Report.

The website said Duhigg had a “provision that would prevent cannabis retailers from giving free products to non-medical cannabis patients” and one that would “restrict cannabis deliveries to residential addresses.”

The latter, she said, will “reduce cannabis tourism in New Mexico”.