Table of Contents
HB 10 – Cannabis Enforcement and Oversight
HB 10 is a bipartisan bill, supported by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. It addresses a key challenge: the inability of the Cannabis Control Division (CCD) to effectively manage the growing number of operators in New Mexico who are in violation of the Cannabis Act. This bill proposes the creation of an Enforcement Bureau within the CCD, granting it powers to investigate and act on suspected violations. Key powers include:- Conducting lawful searches of cannabis facilities;
- Upon issuance of a warrant, taking control of a premises where cannabis is located;
- Taking cannabis samples for testing;
- Confiscating suspected adulterated, dangerous, misbranded, or violative products;
- Destroying products pursuant to applicable law;
- Issuing a recall order for certain cannabis products; and
- Arresting violators.
- License suspension or revocation
- Fines up to $10,000 per violation
- Additional disciplinary actions as authorized by the Cannabis Act
HB 112 – Strengthening Cannabis Licensure
HB 112 amends the Cannabis Act by increasing criminal background check requirements on applicants. Under the bill, both state and federal criminal background checks will be required for CCD applicants. (Currently, only a state report is required.) This bill also mandates that the CCD receive and maintain these background reports. HB 112 is currently under review by the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee.HB 346 – Regulation of Hemp Products and Synthetic Cannabinoids
HB 346 amends the state’s hemp laws to address a regulatory chasm concerning finished hemp products. Among the amendments, the bill would:- Expand the definition of “Hemp Finished Products” to include products intended for human ingestion, absorption, or inhalation;
- Define and ban “Semi-Synthetic” and “Synthetic Cannabinoids” in Hemp Finished Products; and
- Create the definition, and require regulation, of “Hemp Retailer”.
SB 89 – Repealing Cannabis Tax Increases
SB 89 takes a simple but important step: it repeals the incremental tax increases laid out in the Cannabis Act. Tax increases are set to start after July 1, 2025. The bill would keep the cannabis excise tax at its current rate of 12%, rather than gradually raising it over the next five years:- 13% after July 1, 2025
- 14% after July 1, 2026
- 15% after July 1, 2027
- 16% after July 1, 2028
- 17% after July 1, 2029
- 18% after July 1, 2030