The State of New Mexico sold over $39 million worth of marijuana through the month September. This is one million dollars shy of what New Mexicans spent on marijuana in August, where they spent $40 million.
The City of Grants has two major marijuana dispensaries, and are the only major dispensaries in Cibola County, smaller dispensaries are scattered across the county. The bulk of economic action from the sale of marijuana through Cibola occurs in Grants, because of this, the State of New Mexico’s Regulations and Licensing Department, which houses the Cannabis Control Division, tracks Cibola’s sales from the city. This month, the state’s highest population centers of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Hobbs saw the highest sales number of sales. Sunland Park saw a huge increase in marijuana sales, profiting over $1.5 million total from recreational and medical sales.
Sales in Cibola
Residents and visitors to Grants spent a total of $303,500.14 on marijuana in September. $141,069.38 was sent on medical marijuana sales. $162,430.76 was spent on adult-use recreational marijuana.
In August, Cibola spent a total of $440,378.65 on marijuana. August’s sales were almost $100,000 shy from July. September’s sales were $38,911.91 less than what was spent in August. Despite sliding sales, the state of New Mexico remains optimistic about the economic power of the marijuana economy.
Sales in New Mexico
Altogether, in the State of New Mexico through the month of September, residents and visitors purchased $39,651,326.49 on marijuana.
$15,420,930.70 was spent on medical marijuana, the other $24,230,395.79 was spent on adult-use recreational marijuana. Total marijuana sales across the state saw a small slide. In August, New Mexico spent $40,679,290.19 on marijuana, the difference between August and September’s sales amounted to $1,027,963.70.
Who Regulates Marijuana in NM?
Since its legalization, Cibola’s three major law enforcement agencies – Grants Police Department, Milan Police Department, and the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office – have all said that they have had to change course on how they handle marijuana issues. MPD and CCSO have switched gears and are offering more education about the drug, with MPD’s staff giving presentations, assisted by the Cibola County DWI Compliance Program, to offer education about marijuana to atrisk students in Cibola’s schools. Outside of law enforcement, the only oversight of marijuana in the state comes from NMRLD’s Cannabis Control Division. ““The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, which houses the Cannabis Control Division, regulates more than 500,000 individuals and businesses in 35 industries, professions, and trades across the state. Our goal is to assure that New Mexicans receive quality services from qualified individuals and businesses while also ensuring a fair and prompt administrative process. Our priority is your protection,” NMRLD said in a statement.