New Mexico Lawmakers to Consider Cannabis Legalization Changes

New Mexico lawmakers will consider changes to the state’s cannabis regulations during a special 30-day session, including production increases for cannabis microbusinesses, budtender education requirements, allowing liquor licensees to also obtain cannabis licenses, and allowing some industry sectors to employ 18-year-olds, according to the NM Political Report.

The state Cannabis Control Division had announced earlier this week that it planned to work with Gov. Lujan Grisham (D) and legislators on plant limit increases for microbusinesses as a safeguard for expected shortages once adult-use sales begin in April, the Report says. Lawmakers will consider a bill to increase those plant counts from 200 to 1,000 mature plants.

The proposal by Democratic state Sen. Linda Lopez would also allow businesses that previously sold only medical cannabis to employ workers under 21; the state’s adult-use law requires all cannabis industry employees to be 21 or older.

While the bill would allow current liquor license holders to also obtain a cannabis license, it would still prohibit both types of licenses at the same establishment.

New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ben Lewinger told NM Political Report that the organization “supports the fixes in the bill.”

State cannabis regulators recently approved an emergency rule to double the number of plants licensed producers can grow, anticipating product shortages when sales to adults begin in April. The state released its industry regulations and first adult-use licenses last month.