House Democrats Convene Key Law Enforcement & State Officials on Enforcement Solutions for the Cannabis Industry

Law enforcement and state officials convened by Speaker Martínez to develop solutions to strengthen enforcement of cannabis rules & regulations 

Albuquerque, NM - Today, House Democrats announced that law enforcement and state officials are working together to strengthen enforcement of the rules and regulations governing New Mexico’s burgeoning legal recreational cannabis industry.

Earlier this summer, New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque) convened representatives from the Department of Public Safety, the New Mexico State Police, the Attorney General’s office, and the Regulation & Licensing Department to develop solutions that encourage the continued growth of this new industry, while supporting enforcement of existing rules and regulations to tamp down on the illicit market.

House Democrats are also looking to other states to explore best practices for enforcing cannabis rules and regulations. Tomorrow Representative Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) will participate in a visit to Colorado as part of this effort.

“Because we developed a framework for cannabis legislation that prioritized the needs of our diverse communities, New Mexicans can be proud of the incredible growth of this new industry and its significant contributions to our state’s economy,” said Representative Romero. “We are returning to this framework to develop best practices for strong regulation and enforcement and to ensure that the Regulation and Licensing Department has all the tools and resources it needs to get the job done.”

“I am committed to doing everything I can to strengthen and improve the state's capacity to regulate the cannabis market in New Mexico,” said New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “That's why our office is leading a delegation of state and local leaders to meet with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and learn from their experience with this important industry.”

Speaker Martínez and Representative Romero were lead sponsors of the 2021 legislation that legalized recreational cannabis in New Mexico. This brand new industry brought in over $300 million in revenues in its first year and sales continue to outpace expectations. 

Ahead of the 2024 Legislative Session, House Democrats will make policy and budget recommendations to support the industry’s continued success and strengthen enforcement.

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