If you have been paying attention to the news, you must know by now that in April 2021, Gov. Lujan Grisham signed a bill legalizing recreational cannabis in New Mexico, effective April 1, 2022.
Many think that it is already in effect and legal. It is not! It is evolving, as we speak.
The Cannabis Control Division in the Recreational Licensing Department is now the regulatory agency for not only the recreational laws but also some of what used to be managed by the New Mexico Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Program.
The Medical Cannabis Program must be protected and will remain intact for the most part, according to Director Dominick Zurlo. One significant change is the personal production license for medical patients to grow for personal use. The patient grow licenses are no longer needed as of June 29. According to the new laws, anyone 21 years of age will be able to legally grow 12 plants per household.
The CCD has much to sort out and they will keep the public informed. It will be a long process and there will be many questions.
If you are interested in being part of the Green Rush in New Mexico, know that it will not be easy and it will take guidance and a whole lot of money. Cost of license applications, to grow, manufacture and distribute are just the first investment. According to the regulators and existing producers, funding the businesses will require good business sense, deep pockets, and serious investors. Here is the link to CCD, visit there to get informed -- ccd.rld.state.nm.us.
There are opportunities for microbusinesses and commercial growers. In the past, if you applied for a license to grow for the medical program, you got zero guidance from regulatory agencies, zero support from existing producers and zero support from banks. Apparently, the system was not friendly to small businesses. According to the new superintendent of CCD, John Blair, that will change.
In late June, a group of us from Las Cruces attended the Legalization Cannabis Conference in in Albuquerque. We were among 300 from New Mexico there to learn from the regulators, producers, vendors and lawyers. We were part of history in the making . We are excited to be part of what could be an economic boom for New Mexico. The Green Rush is here.
NMMCP Consulting has been consulting, certifying, and guiding patients since 2007. There has been an interest in the cannabis industry among patients for over 15 years. There are many excellent cannabis growers amongst us and there will be jobs now, in the industry. The doors to the industry are open; they were closed to most New Mexicans for way too long. Licenses were granted to those with deep pockets, some from out of state and very few New Mexicans. This legalization bill could be the opportunity for thousands of cannabis entrepreneurs to be able to participate in the industry.
Many entrepreneurs can’t wait to see how effective the process is and how we can succeed in the industry.
If you are interested in learning whether you are a good candidate for a license to grow, we can get you started. Be aware that this industry is not for everyone. We have been there; we know and we have resources for you.
Let’s start with a reality check and a few questions:
Do you want to grow commercially?
Do you have access to at least $1 million?
Outdoor grow? greenhouses? indoor grow?
Do you have a strong team of professionals to back you up ?
Do you have a solid business plan?
These are just a few of the many questions you will be faced with.
Hilda Luz Chavez is a traditional naturopath, business woman, healer and medical cannabis expert with over 40 years’ experience in the field of natural medicine. She can be reached at 915-204-5440 or chavezhl@aol.com
