Proposed changes to New Mexico cannabis rules before start of recreational sales spark criticism

With less than a month and a half to go before sales of recreational marijuana are scheduled to begin in New Mexico, the state agency charged with standing up the burgeoning industry is proposing new regulations and tweaks to others.

The proposed changes to existing rules just before the start of retail sales sparked some criticism of the Cannabis Control Division during a public hearing Tuesday.

“There’s constant moving targets in this program, and we have not even begun,” said Erica Rowland, who is working to open a “cannabis country club” in Albuquerque’s North Valley.

“How is one to focus on requirements and plan to succeed when costly and timely paperwork requirements are constantly changing or being eliminated?”