New Mexico Releases Adult-Use Cannabis Industry Draft Rules

New Mexico officials have released the first proposed cannabis industry rules, focused on producer licenses and plant fees, the Albuquerque Journal reports. The draft regulations set license fees for producer, retailers, and social-use businesses at $2,500 and a three-tier system for producers which would see larger volume producers – capped at 4,500 mature plants – pay higher per-plant fees than smaller businesses.

The current limit for licensed producers in the state in 1,750 plants, the report says.

Last week, Regulation and Licensing Superintendent Linda Trujillo, whose agency is implementing the Legislature-approved law, told reporters last week that the agency’s goal “would be to take it live with commercial sales before April 1” – the deadline approved by lawmakers.

“But today’s proposed rules don’t mean the conversation is over. Through public comment, public hearings and ongoing conversations, we will continue to strengthen these rules to ensure the best possible outcomes.” – Trujillo, in a statement, via the Journal

The draft rules and include requirements for surveillance security and mandates that unused cannabis be disposed of through compost or ground into soil.

Duke Rodriguez, president and CEO of Ultra Health Inc., the state’s largest medical cannabis producer, said the three-tiered system for producers “seems to advocate smallness in aspiration and doesn’t reflect the robustness that will be needed to achieve the 11,000-plus jobs and several hundred million-dollar cannabis industry.”

Starting next month, New Mexicans 21-and-older will be allowed to cultivate up to six mature plants, possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis – or an equivalent amount of concentrates.

More draft rules are expected to be released in the coming months.