New Mexico lawmakers recently discussed a proposal to create a new “Compliance Bureau” within the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD), aimed at tackling illicit cannabis operations and improving enforcement. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the proposal seeks to empower the Cannabis Control Division (CCD) with additional law enforcement capabilities to investigate operators and address unlicensed or noncompliant activity.
Currently, the Cannabis Control Division does not have the authority to conduct criminal investigations, relying instead on local police departments that may lack the resources to fully address the issue. The new proposal would allow state officials to conduct criminal investigations, issue search warrants, seize illegal cannabis, and make arrests. It would also enable the division to work more closely with district attorneys to prosecute offenders violating the state’s cannabis laws.
RLD spokesperson Andrea Brown explained that, with this proposal, certified law enforcement officers would be able to enforce criminal statutes, investigate crimes, and collaborate with legal authorities to ensure offenders are held accountable. “This could make a significant impact in addressing the illicit market,” Brown stated.
However, not all lawmakers are fully in support of expanding police powers. Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Albuquerque) raised concerns about whether creating a specialized law enforcement division was the best solution, suggesting that increased funding for existing law enforcement agencies or new statutes could be an alternative approach.
New Mexico legalized adult-use cannabis in July 2021, and the state’s first legal cannabis sales took place in July 2022. Since then, the state has worked to regulate and monitor the growing industry, but illegal cannabis activities remain a challenge that threatens to undermine the legal market.
As lawmakers continue to debate the proposal, the future of cannabis regulation in New Mexico could see significant changes, with the creation of a new compliance arm designed to bring more enforcement power and accountability to the state’s cannabis industry.
