New Mexico’s cannabis industry has been experiencing tremendous growth since the legalization of recreational use in 2021. However, with this growth comes the need for more regulation and oversight. House Bill 233, sponsored by Representative Marian Matthews, proposes to reorganize the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department to provide more oversight for the cannabis industry.
Reorganizing the Regulation and Licensing Department
The proposed bill aims to make the Regulation and Licensing Department more efficient and effective in overseeing the cannabis industry. The department includes the Cannabis Control Division, which is responsible for regulating the industry. The bill proposes to re-focus the department’s IT department to ensure it can handle the increased workload that comes with the industry’s growth.
Creating Compliance Officers
One of the bill’s significant components is the creation of compliance officers with police powers. These officers would be responsible for enforcing the cannabis-related rules and regulations. This proposal has generated some controversy among lawmakers and cannabis industry stakeholders.
Debate in the House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee
The bill was recently debated in the House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee. One of the topics discussed was the proposal to hire compliance officers with police powers. According to NMRLD Superintendent Linda Trujillo, the initial intent of having law enforcement officers at the Regulation and Licensing Department was to have in-house enforcement. However, the committee decided to remove the idea due to concerns about cost and complexity.
Limiting the Department’s Power
Despite some concerns from committee members, Linda Trujillo emphasized that the state is already operating without cannabis police. The Cannabis Control Division currently collaborates with the Department of Public Safety, which provides oversight without law enforcement officers. The removal of the law enforcement component from the bill would not limit the department’s ability to regulate the industry, according to Trujillo.
Moving Forward Without Law Enforcement Officers
Although the proposed bill does not include compliance officers with police powers, it could still provide more oversight for the cannabis industry. The bill’s reorganization of the Regulation and Licensing Department could lead to a more efficient and effective regulatory body. The idea of having cannabis inspectors with police powers may not be entirely off the table for future legislation.
Conclusion
The proposed bill seeks to provide more regulation and oversight for New Mexico’s cannabis industry. The bill’s reorganization of the Regulation and Licensing Department could lead to a more efficient and effective regulatory body. Although the proposal to hire compliance officers with police powers was removed from the bill, the state is already operating without cannabis police. The committee’s decision to move forward with the legislation without the law enforcement component shows that the bill’s proponents are still committed to regulating the industry.
