SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Nearly two years after recreational cannabis became legal in New Mexico, lawmakers have added new rules, to make sure the cannabis businesses operating in the state are doing so safely. “We’re going after folks who are causing the challenges in this legal market in New Mexico,” said Todd Stevens, Director for the Cannabis Control Division (CCD).
After authorities uncovered several illegal New Mexico cannabis shop operations last year, lawmakers passed a bill strengthening rules surrounding the illegal production and sale of cannabis in the state. “To ensure that New Mexicans are getting safe products grown here in New Mexico, under New Mexican sun with New Mexican water,” Stevens said.
If signed into law, the legislation looks to build on the regulations created when recreational cannabis was legalized, by keeping unlicensed products away from customers. “Because right now, if they find some illegal products and they don’t have the ability to seize and embargo them, those products get right into the black market before the CCD can do anything about it,” said Sen. Katy Duhigg, sponsor of the bill.
It also would add rules that make sure anyone who wants a license must get a federal and state background check. The original law did call for cannabis license applicants to complete a federal background check. However, a News 13 Larry Barker investigation found the law didn’t meet federal requirements. As a result, the federal government was not completing those background checks.
The new law closes that loophole. “I think the bill as a whole has really strengthened us and continued to make our market a more mature and stable market,” explained Stevens.
The bill also bumped up criminal penalties for people trafficking illegal cannabis products, meaning anything that has not been tested or approved by the state. The legislation also has rules in place making sure product packaging does not appeal to children. The bill still needs the governor’s signature before becoming law.
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