Cannabis in New Mexico: Developments in Legalization

New Mexico made headlines by becoming the 17th state in the United States to legalize recreational cannabis. On April 12th, 2021, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Cannabis Regulation Act, which legalizes recreational cannabis use for adults over 21, while also establishing a regulatory framework for the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis products.

The Cannabis Regulation Act allows adults to possess up to two ounces of cannabis and to grow up to six plants for personal use. The law also creates a system for licensing and regulating cannabis businesses, including dispensaries, cultivators, manufacturers and couriers. Licenses are awarded through a competitive application process, with a priority given to those who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

One of the most significant provisions of the Cannabis Regulation Act is its focus on social justice. The law includes provisions to help those who have been most negatively impacted by the criminalization of cannabis, including expungement of past cannabis-related convictions and a requirement that a certain percentage of cannabis business licenses be awarded to individuals from communities disproportionately affected by drug enforcement.

The legalization of cannabis in New Mexico is expected to have a significant economic impact. According to a report by the Marijuana Policy Group (MPG), legalization could generate over $300 million in annual sales within a few years of implementation. Well, as of April 1, 2023, New Mexico surpassed the MPG estimation. The report was also accurate when predicting that legalization would create thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for the state.

While the Cannabis Regulation Act was a significant step for cannabis legalization in New Mexico, there are still some challenges ahead. The law includes provisions that may be difficult to enforce, such as the prohibition of cannabis use in public places. Additionally, there is still a lot of uncertainty around how the federal government will respond to state-level legalization efforts, as cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

Despite these challenges, the legalization of cannabis in New Mexico is a major milestone for the state and the broader cannabis legalization movement. It represents a step toward more equitable drug policies and a recognition of the potential benefits of cannabis legalization, both in terms of economic growth and social justice. As New Mexico and other states continue to explore cannabis legalization, it will be important to learn from the successes and challenges of those that have come before, to ensure that these policies are implemented in the most effective and equitable way possible.