Adults 21 and older will be able to own and use recreational cannabis starting Tuesday in New Mexico. A legal market for the production and sale of cannabis and cannabis products, on the other hand, is still months away.
Here’s what you should know about the part of the bill that goes into force on Tuesday.
Who is allowed to purchase and possess cannabis, and how much can you buy?
Adults aged 21 and up may purchase and possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis, 16 grams of cannabis extract, or 800 milligrams of edible cannabis at a time. Residents will be able to enjoy a larger supply at home.
When is it going to start?
Personal recreational use will be permitted on June 29. By April 1, licenses to mail order marijuana are expected to be awarded.
In the meanwhile, where can I acquire legal cannabis as a recreational user?
You won’t be able to. There are no sorts of recreational cannabis transactions that are permitted. It’s also illegal to transport cannabis over state lines, so even if you can legally buy it at other states’ permitted stores, you can’t lawfully bring it home.
Is it possible for me to cultivate my own food at home for personal use?
Yes, up to six plants per person or 12 plants per home with two or more persons over the age of 21.
Do I need a permission to grow marijuana at home?
No, the answer is no. Seeds are all you’ll need.
Is it possible to grow cannabis at home?
Experts, farmers, and grow-at-home enthusiasts all say nay. There are numerous internet resources, including YouTube videos, that provide growth advice.
Is it okay if I use it in public?
No, the answer is no. However, there are plans in the works to develop approved cannabis consumption zones in the future.
What will the price of recreational cannabis be?
Officials from the state claim that price will be determined by the market in the future. In fiscal year 2020, the price of a gram of medical cannabis ranged from $9.25 to $11.64, according to the state Department of Health.
What part does local government play in all of this?
Answer: Cities, municipalities, and counties can impose limits on cannabis companies, such as shop locations and operating hours. Officials, on the other hand, cannot simply prohibit cannabis enterprises.
Is it possible for anyone to apply for a license to grow, sell, or transfer marijuana?
Answer: Anyone over the age of 21 who has never been convicted of a workplace crime such as fraud or embezzlement is eligible to apply. Other types of criminal convictions may also have an impact on eligibility.
How much will a license set you back?
Answer: The laws are still being worked out, but a suggestion implies that licenses for larger cannabis producers, manufacturers, merchants, and those who wish to run cannabis testing and research facilities will cost $2,500 per year, with an additional $1,000 price for each location. Smaller enterprises could pay as little as $500 per year for a single license or up to $2,500 for a multi-operational license.
Question: In order to apply for a business license, what do I need to have in place?
Growers will need to provide legal confirmation of water rights. To produce, manufacture, or sell cannabis, all firms will need a facility as well as a security system that includes a vault and security cameras.
When will I be able to apply for a license to grow, manufacture, or sell marijuana?
Answer: The application deadline is September 1, but state officials are seeking for an earlier deadline, possibly as early as mid-July.
Question: Will plant production be capped for both producers and manufacturers?
Yes, till the end of 2025 at the very least. Plant count ranges for various levels of output are included in the proposed standards for larger firms, with a maximum plant count of 4,500. Licenses to grow up to 100 or 200 plants are available to microgrowers.
How will the new recreational marijuana legislation interact with the current Medical Marijuana Program?
Answer: Existing medical marijuana firms can seek for a dual license to grow and sell recreational marijuana. To address concerns about supply shortages, new guidelines would force recreational cannabis shops to keep aside at least 25% of their products for medical cannabis patients.
Should I keep my medical cannabis card and participate in the program if I’m a patient?
Yes, it is correct. A fixed amount of cannabis for medical patients will be tax-free under the new law, but all recreational cannabis will be taxed.
Isn’t recreational cannabis use still illegal under federal law, even if it’s allowed in New Mexico and a few other states?
Yes, it is correct. “Marijuana is unlawful under federal law, regardless of whether a state decriminalizes it,” FBI spokesman Frank Fisher noted in an email. The FBI investigates marijuana-related incidents as resources allow.”
Is this implying that federal law enforcement authorities will be more aggressive in enforcing cannabis prohibition laws?
“The DEA does not target drug users, of any drug, simply for being a drug user,” Carlos Briano, a spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Administration, stated in an email. Criminal groups, violent offenders, and serious drug traffickers are the focus of our activities.” Even so, he noted, anyone in possession of or promoting a controlled narcotic might face federal charges. Those transporting cannabis across state boundaries, he warned, are at the greatest risk.
How many states have legalized marijuana for recreational use?
Answer: Currently, 18 states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation, however not all of them have begun selling the product. Just this year, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Virginia became the fifth state to legalize marijuana.
Where can I learn more about the proposed regulations for businesses?
Visit the Cannabis Control Division of the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department at ccd.rld.state.nm.us.