Leaf Brief: Green and Growing

For anyone who expected to see the state’s cannabis market drop, think again.

Four months into the launch of New Mexico’s adult-use recreational industry, more cannabis companies continue to open around the state. They’re doing just fine, too, as businesses raked in a record-breaking $40.3 million during July, with adult-use accounting for a little less than $23.5 million worth of sales and medical sales coming in at $16.8 million. This marks a slight bounce back after the industry saw the lowest sales total, $37.7 million, for the month of June. Santa Fe sales also went from $3.3 million to almost $3.5 million.

Meanwhile, district attorneys’ offices around the state are reportedly reviewing cases involving cannabis-related charges to have records expunged. The Second Judicial District Attorney’s office tells KRQE-TV it has looked through 11,527 cases potentially eligible for automatic expungement. Last year, lawmakers approved a measure during a special legislative session requiring the walling off from public view certain charges and convictions for anything marijuana-related that would be made legal by the Cannabis Regulation Act. SFR reported in 2021 that the state Department of Public Safety had identified 154,791 cases eligible for expungement statewide.Scroll down for more news across the state and nation.

First Pueblo Dispensary Open

The Wõ Poví Cannabis shop in Pojoaque, about a 10-minute drive from Santa Fe, recently opened its doors after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed intergovernmental agreements with the Picuris and Pojoaque pueblos in March. The agreements, the state says, allows the tribal communities to participate in the cannabis industry without fear of federal law enforcement action on tribal lands. (Leaders from both pueblos have expressed doubts about such protections in the past.) Wõ Poví Cannabis, meaning “medicine flower” in the Tewa language, is offering a range of products from flower, pre-rolls, edibles and concentrates. The shop offers daily discounts for customers. The dispensary, located at 68 Cities of Gold Rd., is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 7 pm; and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.

Former State Officials Find New Jobs

Kristen Thomson, former director of the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division, has joined the team at Weeds. Cannabis Company, the largest cannabis services outfit in the state, as a partner and chief strategy officer. Thomson unexpectedly resigned from the Division in June, with Carolina Barrera, the division’s deputy director of business operations, stepping in as interim director. Also, former CCD Compliance Manager Bobbi Martinez took a position with Weeds., working in a similar role as compliance program manager. “We’ve added some very talented and knowledgeable people to our roster to help strengthen and expand our service offerings,” says partner and co-founder Pat Davis, who is also an Albuquerque city councilor. “Adding two former state regulators to our team will bring a depth of knowledge that no other firm possesses.” The pair’s hirings could create discussion among lawmakers about the state’s restrictions on former officers moving to the private sector. The Governmental Conduct Act prevents former state employees from being paid to represent companies in front of the agency they used to work in for one year. Weeds. co-founder Matt Kennicott tells Albuquerque Journal that neither women will lobby on cannabis issues or represent clients before regulatory agencies during the one-year ban.

The “LinkedIn of Cannabis”

We’re wondering if Thomson and Martinez found their new positions with the help of Leafwire, an online platform for the cannabis business community. The networking tool allows those in the industry to promote events, find job openings, locate business partners and share news about the cannabis world. As of June, Leafwire had acquired nearly 50,000 members from more than 22,000 companies in the cannabis and hemp industries. Those looking for work in the growing job sector might try joining the platform to get connected with companies. Folks in the biz can also find tips for growing their own brand.

First Courier License Approved

The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department granted the state’s first cannabis courier license in late July to Green Light Courier, LLC, based in Santa Fe. The transportation company offers pickup and drop-off services between licensed adult-use cannabis businesses, allowing producers and dispensaries to safely send their products to one another. Also new to the courier game is Spliff Quick, an Albuquerque business that has also received its license. Founder Tiffany Johnson is still working to connect with companies and organize a framework for the business, but she plans to start off with home deliveries.

Trouble in Russia

WNBA star Brittney Griner remains behind bars after her arrest at the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow in February for carrying two vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. With the news of her nine-year sentence handed down by a Russian judge earlier this month, Griner has been the subject of heavy criticism for her comment in 2020, when she said she doesn’t think the national anthem should be played before games. However, players in both the WNBA and NBA have rallied behind her, calling for her release. Conversations between Russia and the US on a prisoner swap have been ongoing, with the Russian Foreign Ministry confirming last week that negotiations are in the works. Her lawyer confirmed Monday that an appeal has been filed.