Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a law enforcement bureau in New Mexico to regulate cannabis.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Enforcement Bureau within the Regulation and Licensing Department to enforce the Cannabis Regulation Act and employs peace officers to investigate these violations (Sec. 2).

• Defines “embargo” as placing in a secure video-monitored location, accessible only to the licensee, the Cannabis Control Division, and the Enforcement Bureau (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes inspections, sample collection, and restrictions on cannabis products that are suspected of being unsafe, including seizure, recall, or embargo procedures (Sec. 3).

• Requires notice and limits on embargo duration to 15 days and authorizes licensees to contest the enforcement actions through administrative hearings (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes court-ordered destruction of illegal or unsafe cannabis at the licensee’s expense (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the disposal or sale of embargoed or recalled cannabis is a fourth-degree felony (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes disciplinary action including license suspension, fines up to $10,000 per violation, and coordination with other agencies (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a law enforcement bureau in New Mexico to regulate cannabis.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Enforcement Bureau within the Regulation and Licensing Department to enforce the Cannabis Regulation Act and employs peace officers to investigate these violations (Sec. 2).

• Defines “embargo” as placing in a secure video-monitored location, accessible only to the licensee, the Cannabis Control Division, and the Enforcement Bureau (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes inspections, sample collection, and restrictions on cannabis products that are suspected of being unsafe, including seizure, recall, or embargo procedures (Sec. 3).

• Requires notice and limits on embargo duration to 15 days and authorizes licensees to contest the enforcement actions through administrative hearings (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes court-ordered destruction of illegal or unsafe cannabis at the licensee’s expense (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the disposal or sale of embargoed or recalled cannabis is a fourth-degree felony (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes disciplinary action including license suspension, fines up to $10,000 per violation, and coordination with other agencies (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text