New Mexico Legalized Cannabis
On April 1, 2022, New Mexico legalized cannabis for adult use, becoming the 18th US state to do so. And, according to New Mexico Governor Michelle Grisham, the state’s launch was the most successful cannabis launch of any US state.
“New Mexico’s launch of recreational cannabis has been one of the most successful, if not the most, of any state,” Gov. Grisham said. “Not to mention that we beat Colorado’s numbers for first-day sales. New Mexicans demonstrated the strength of the demand for this exciting new industry, and it is clear that adult-use cannabis is going to be a contributor to our diverse state economy.”
Cannabis sales broke $5.2 million US in the first two days. Roughly $3.5 million came from adult-use cannabis sales while $1.7 million came from medical cannabis sales. There were 87,773 individual sales during that time.
“New Mexico was ready for this historic opportunity to end prohibition,” said Cannabis Control Division Director Kristen Thomson. “Whether it’s people moving from the illicit market to the safe, regulated legal market or brand-new customers excited to try high-quality New Mexico products for the first time, New Mexicans supported cannabis businesses in record numbers this weekend.”
Officials noted that when New Mexico legalized cannabis, there weren’t any shortages as there were in other states – or Canada for that matter.
“In every state that launched adult-use sales before New Mexico, some retailers sold out on opening day,” Thomson said. “In New Mexico, that was simply not the case. Customers and patients across the state were all able to get the products or medicine they wanted and needed. Through careful regulatory planning hand-in-hand with industry, New Mexico cannabis producers have done something that’s never been done before. This weekend’s successful launch is something we can all be proud of.”
What’s Next after New Mexico Legalized Cannabis? – LPC
Now that New Mexico legalized cannabis, it has implications for people living in western Texas. Some including NPR expect the move to spark cannabis tourism for those Texans who cannot purchase legally in their own state. The same was expected in Illinois when Illinois legalized cannabis in March 2020.
But with New Mexico legalized cannabis, it bring the US one step closer to federal cannabis legalization. The US House of Representatives recently passed a bill to decriminalize cannabis, paving the way for legalization. But analysts believe it will be a bumpy road. Even something as light as the SAFE Banking Act has had troubles working its way through lawmakers.
Still, it seems almost inevitable that US cannabis legalization is on its way – and the fact that New Mexico legalized cannabis is another step forward.
Read the original press release here.
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