Recreational Cannabis in New Mexico; Here are the Rules

Recreational cannabis sales in New Mexico are slated to commence on 1^st April, 2022. Meanwhile, the Cannabis Control Division which sets the rules and regulations for the cannabis industry has set some ground rules for cannabis producers and retailers. The final rules were issued on Tuesday, 28^th December, 2021.

The rules and provisions were similar to the guidelines that had been issued for producers at the beginning of the New Year. The requirements for cannabis retailers included having security measures in place, providing proof of water rights and offering staff training programs to ensure that all staff meets the required mandates for the manufacturing, sale and transporting of cannabis.

Cannabis manufacturers are also required to provide a detailed diagram of the work premises as well as to install security cameras for surveillance. Regarding batches of cannabis that fail to comply with set health and safety standards, manufacturers must agree to comply and destroy such batches.

Retailers are forbidden from offering free samples to customers; unless under special circumstances. Medical cannabis patients may be offered free samples in form of medicine from recreational dispensaries under special circumstances. The patients must also be registered with the state’s medical marijuana program.

Retailers must adhere to the maximum possession limit when selling to recreational users. This has been set at 16 grams of cannabis in extract form of two ounces of dry cannabis.

Recreational cannabis was legalized in New Mexico at the beginning of 2021. Adults above the age of 2021 will be able to access marijuana from dispensaries starting April 1^st 2022.  The Cannabis Control Division is currently reviewing the over 300 retail and manufacturing applications that have been submitted.