The Cannabis Control Division (CCD) of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department on Tuesday revoked the licenses of two adult-use cannabis cultivators, the agency said in a press release.
The operators in question — Bliss Farm and Native American Agricultural Development Company (NAADC), both located in Torrance County — were said to have exceeded the legal plant count limits and failed to properly utilize the state’s mandatory track-and-trace system. Regulators noted at both locations signs of a recent harvest without any record of the plants or where they might have gone. Additionally, the companies were said to have fostered unsafe working conditions, among other violations.
Under the order, the companies must immediately cease their commercial operations and, in addition to losing their licenses, they have been ordered to pay $1 million in fines. Under state law, such cannabis industry fines go into the state’s school fund.
Clay Bailey, the Acting Superintendent of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, said in the release, “The illicit activity conducted at both of these farms undermines the good work that many cannabis businesses are doing across the state.”
“Compliance within the industry is the CCD’s main priority and our office is committed to ensuring New Mexicans have access to safe cannabis products. The team worked diligently on both of these cases to determine the appropriate action for violations at a scale we hadn’t seen before. The outcomes were justified under the law based on the egregious conduct of these individuals and I hope this serves as a reminder to those who might be violating the laws and rules the state has put forth.” — Todd Stevens, Cannabis Control Division Director, in a statement
After the order, New Mexico regulators have revoked six cannabis industry licenses since the market’s January 2022 launch.
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