Diego Lopez, Reporter
The State of New Mexico sold over $40 million worth of marijuana in the month of August. This is more than the state spent on marijuana in July, when New Mexicans spent nearly $38 million.
The City of Grants has two major marijuana dispensaries, they are the only major dispensaries in Cibola County, with a series of smaller dispensaries dotted across the county. The bulk of economic action from the sale of marijuana 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. Across New Mexico, there are over 500,000 individuals and businesses who are licensed to sell marijuana.
Sales in Cibola
Residents and visitors to Grants spent $159,046.80 on medical marijuana in August.
Recreational sales hit $183,365.25 for a grand total of $342,412.05 spent on marijuana in the county. In July, Cibola sold $440,378.65 in marijuana. August’s numbers fell short from July by $97,966.60.
Sales in New Mexico
Altogether in New Mexico, $40,679,290.19 was spent on marijuana. Of that, most of the money spent was on adult-use recreational marijuana. In medical sales, New Mexicans bought $16,459,951.69 worth of marijuana. In recreational sales, New Mexicans purchased $24,219,338.50 in marijuana.
In July, New Mexicans purchased a total of $37,736,905.52 worth of the drug, August increased marijuana sales by $2,942,384.67. While Cibola saw a drop in money spent on marijuana in August, New Mexico overall saw a massive increase in marijuana sales.
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.