CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — With the latest data from July, Cibola County's total cannabis sales have now surpassed $8 million since the legalization of adult-use marijuana in New Mexico.
The marijuana market in Cibola County continued its robust performance into July 2024, contributing nearly $300,000 in combined sales from the communities of Grants and Milan.
City of Grants
Grants remains the dominant hub for cannabis sales in Cibola County.
In July 2024, the city reported total marijuana sales of $200,099.77, with $135,153.15 from adultuse recreational sales and $64,946.62 from medical marijuana sales.
Since legalization, Grants has achieved total sales of $7,463,503.11.
Of that impressive number, $3,033,415.38 came from 65,864 medical transactions, and $4,430,087.73 from 120,115 adult-use transactions.
The city’s total number of cannabis transactions stands at 177,881 as of August 1.
Village of Milan
Milan also showed continued growth in July 2024, with total marijuana sales of $99,815.53. This includes $79,840.91 from adult-use recreational sales and $19,974.62 from medical marijuana sales.
The Village of Milan has reported a cumulative total of $707,837.51 in cannabis sales since the legalization, the village did not begin sales immediately as their first legal sales started September 2023, derived from $148,527.05 in medical sales and $559,310.46 in adult-use sales.
The village has processed a total of 21,655 transactions, with 4,438 for medical marijuana and 17,217 for adult-use marijuana as of August 1.
Statewide
Statewide, New Mexico’s cannabis industry saw $50,097,212.57 in total sales for July 2024.
This includes $12,078,382.44 in medical sales and $38,018,830.10 in adult-use sales.
The state has issued a total of 3,072 cannabis licenses, comprising 400 producers, 677 micro producers, 900 manufacturers, 1,006 retailers, 27 consumption areas, 56 couriers, and six testing laboratories.
The Road to $8 Million
Cibola County’s journey to surpassing $8 million in cannabis sales is a testament to the resilience and growth of the local marijuana market since the legalization of adult-use cannabis in New Mexico. From modest beginnings, the communities of Grants and Milan have steadily expanded their sales, month by month, demonstrating the increasing acceptance and demand for both medical and recreational cannabis.
The legalization of adult-use cannabis in April 2022 marked the beginning of a new era for Cibola County.
Initial sales figures were promising but modest, with consumers slowly adjusting to the new legal landscape. As awareness grew and more dispensaries opened in Grants, sales began to accelerate.
Throughout 2023, Cibola County’s cannabis market gained momentum. Grants, the county’s largest community, emerged as the leading player, consistently posting the highest sales figures. Meanwhile, the Village of Milan, which welcomed its first marijuana shop in September 2023, began contributing significantly to the county's overall sales. Month after month, Milan broke its own sales records, reflecting a burgeoning market that resonated well with both locals and visitors.
By early 2024, Cibola County had already surpassed $5 million in cumulative sales.
The combination of growing consumer demand, the expansion of local dispensaries, and a supportive regulatory environment fueled this rapid growth. Each month brought new milestones, with April, May, and June contributing substantial figures to the county’s overall sales.
July 2024 marked another significant milestone as Cibola County’s total cannabis sales exceeded $8 million. The combined efforts of Grants and Milan, which reported nearly $300,000 in sales for the month, pushed the county past this notable threshold. The road to $8 million has been paved with consistent monthly growth, and a focus on providing quality cannabis products to meet the needs of a diverse consumer base.
Impact on Cibola County
The continuous growth in cannabis sales in Cibola County highlights the industry's positive impact on the local economy.
With total sales now exceeding $8 million, the revenue generated from these transactions supports various public services and community projects. The 12 percent excise tax on adult-use cannabis and the gross receipts tax on medical marijuana provide substantial fiscal support to local governments, enhancing infrastructure and quality of life in both Grants and Milan.
For Grants, the city council has passed an ordinance directing all collected marijuana tax be directed to the Grants Recreation Center. Milan does not direct this tax to any specific project, allowing it to instead fall in the general fund.
As Cibola County’s cannabis market continues to thrive, local communities stand to benefit from the ongoing growth and success of this burgeoning industry. With each month bringing new records and milestones, Cibola County is firmly establishing itself as a key player in New Mexico's new green economy.