It didn’t take long for the legalization of recreational cannabis to have an economic impact in New Mexico. April 1 was the first day of legalized sales and as of 8 p.m. Friday, nearly 28,000 transactions statewide had generated nearly $1.9 million.
The sale of recreational cannabis became legal at 12:01 a.m. Friday when dispensaries in Las Cruces first opened. Sales began in Santa Fe, the state capital, at 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. in Albuquerque, the state’s largest city.
One happy customer told KOB 4 it was time for cannabis to be legalized and available to the general public. “I know many people who have gone to jail for the cause of cannabis legalization,” said the person who wished not to be identified. “People in the early California medical marijuana have been involved in policy reform for two decades now and there are just too many people in jail, so this is a great first step.”
Dispensaries statewide had been gearing up for April 1, stocking up on a variety of products. Employees also had to be hired with as many as 200-300 applicants vying for some positions. According to the City of Albuquerque's map, 69 cannabis retail locations were approved as of April 1.
Albuquerque police have mounted a campaign to warn the public to not drive while high. In addition, the Cannabis Control Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department offers information to consumers on how to safely participate in this new market.
"New Mexicans must remember not to drive after consuming cannabis," Cannabis Control Division Director Kristen Thomson said. "Driving under the influence puts consumers and others on the road at risk. Law enforcement will be doing their job to keep roads safe. We encourage anyone who plans to consume to have a designated driver or use a taxi or ride-share service.”
To date, 151 retail licenses have been issued by the state, according to KOB 4, covering nearly 250 locations. Not all locations opened Friday.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has said the cannabis industry could generate $300 million annually in sales, create 11,000 jobs and bring in $50 million in state revenue in the first year. Others have guessed even higher, but the latest projections from the Legislative Finance Committee are a bit lower – $28 million for the first year. That report notes, "revenue expectations remain uncertain."
