RLD Superintendent Linda M. Trujillo

NMRLD News:

SANTA FE — The Cannabis Control Division (CCD) of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Tuesday posted proposed manufacturing, retail, and courier rules as part of its open and transparent process to create a fair and effective system for licensing businesses and entrepreneurs who want to jump into New Mexico’s emerging adult-use cannabis industry.

“The mission of the Cannabis Control Division is to support a strong, thriving and safe adult-use and medical cannabis industry in New Mexico,” RLD Superintendent Linda M. Trujillo said. “With these latest rules, drafted in consultation with the Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee, we are continuing our important work to help businesses, entrepreneurs and communities maximize the economic opportunities presented by this new industry.”

The CCD will accept, online and by mail, public comments on the proposed rules. Those comments, in addition to the testimony that will come during a public hearing on the rules Oct. 28, will inform any amendments the CCD might make to the proposed rules before they are finalized.

The Cannabis Regulatory Act requires the CCD to begin processing all cannabis license types by January 1, 2022.

Early in September, CCD issued emergency manufacturing rules that went into effect immediately to address worker safety concerns. The manufacturing rules posted Tuesday are an updated version of those rules, further stressing worker safety. Once the proposed rules are finalized through the rule-making process, they will become permanent and supersede the emergency rules.

The proposed retail and courier rules posted Tuesday are designed to ensure the safe sale and transport of cannabis.

Producer rules have been in place since August and more than 1,500 producer license applications have been started through the CCD’s state-of-the-art online application system.

By law, adult-use cannabis sales to consumers will start no later than April 2022.