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Most policy and press attention on cannabis in New Mexico typically focuses on rules to govern its use by medical patients. This month Santa Fe Reporter shines a light on a newly regulated way for the plant to enrich our lives: Hemp growers are wrapping up their second seasonal harvest since agricultural production became legal.
Yet, the course for a budding empire is far from charted. Federal and state regulators are grappling with rules that have everyone with a stake in the industry on edge, and though New Mexico’s approach is largely praised, conflicts are at play here between the low-THC hemp program and its cousins in medical cannabis which have led to a lawsuit. Which growers and manufacturers survive depends on their abilities to respond to the market, control their harvests through to the consumer and form alliances among people who have farming skills, cannabis connections and business acumen.Read our current cover story “Hempire” for more and scroll down to catch the latest cannabis news from around the region and the web!
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Regional News
Buy now, here
People who are medical cannabis patients in other states can now buy at New Mexico dispensaries with little to no hassle. While the Legislature passed a law clearly allowing for reciprocity for cannabis card holders from other states this year, the Department of Health adopted rules that made it hard for those purchases to occur—requiring documents the state law didn’t ask for. A District Court judge overturned the department’s rules on Oct. 13.
Now, hear this
New Mexico journalists Megan Kamerick and Andy Lyman have produced four episodes of their new podcast Growing Forward, which focuses on all things cannabis. The latest covers water. Earlier episodes took a closer look at the people running the medical cannabis program and how legalizing recreational cannabis would impact how they do business, among other topics.
From the Santa Fe retail scene
In the world of marketing, recognition matters. We’re not sure if a certain global organization for girls is going to love this, but we sure got a kick out the new edible and strain labels from NewMexiCann featuring familiar monikers such as THC Tagalongs and coming-soon Samoas hybrid flower. The store’s San Mateo location remains closed following a fire in which two workers were injured.
Around the Web
National reform vote likely after election
The Drug Policy Alliance is reminding state and municipal cannabis regulators from across the country to assist the organization in calling on Congress to prioritize federal marijuana reform by passing the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment & Expungement (MORE) Act (H.R. 3884) when it comes back around on the guitar for a vote on the House floor. Insiders say such a vote is expected following the November 2020 election. The proposal includes not just descheduling cannabis at the federal level, but also leveling the playing field to lift criminal convictions and create equitable licensing programs that benefit communities most impacted by prohibition.
How about our home state?
Will state lawmakers come around to legalizing cannabis for adult recreational use in New Mexico in the 2021 lawmaking session? Hear a pair of advocates who know their way around the Roundhouse unpack the idea in a “Live from Home” video event hosted by Speaker Brian Egolf, D-NM, earlier this month.
Pop a top
As CBD moves into the mainstream, the largest beverage makers on the planet are not going to be left behind. Joining big names like AriZona Beverages and Heineken, a new product combines one thing we love (cannabis) with two things that sort of gross us out—PBR’s logo and lemon hard seltzer. Coca-Cola continues knocking down rumors that it too will get on this bandwagon, but we keep hearing them all the same. Just don’t shake it?