the benefits and unintended consequences recreational cannabis

Goal 7 addresses some of the benefits and unintended consequences that New Mexico could face as the state prepares for recreational cannabis sales. With the stroke of a pen, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham legalized recreational cannabis and spoke about what it means for the state. “11,000 new jobs, $ 100 million in sales,” said Lujan Grisham. It is expected to become a thriving industry in New Mexico, as in other states. “At this point in time, Colorado is a billion dollar industry,” said Wendi Roewer, field intelligence manager at the Denver Drug Enforcement Agency. But Roewer said the weed isn’t always greener for states legalizing recreational cannabis. “It gives criminal organizations an opportunity to take advantage of legalization,” said Roewer. “The state does not profit at all from the tax revenue. What it brings in is another crime.” Roewer said the Colorado cannabis market is saturated, so sophisticated criminal organizations in the state open business and then cross the state lines. She added, “Almost all of the black market marijuana grown here is no longer okay.” Ben Lewinger of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, a group advocating recreational cannabis, said, “There are many lessons to be learned from other states about what to do and what not to do.” Lewinger said Lujan Grisham had set up a work group to travel to states with legalized cannabis to find out the pros and cons. “What happened is that you had too much cannabis to market and it was just dumped on the illegal market and eventually found its way around the country,” Lewinger said. In some other states like Oregon, for example, there were no limits on the number of plants. But New Mexico law has limits. He said this was a way for the state to curb the growth of the illegal market. However, Roewer said another unintended consequence of legalization is the crime that follows organized black market groups. “We have even seen cases of people smuggling where they get individuals to work on these increases and basically make them work as more or less indented servants,” said Roewer. Most of the time, the Denver DEA sees cases of financial problems or mortgage fraud problems. Only time will tell if legalization will cause problems in New Mexico. But right now the state is seeing some of the benefits. Medical marijuana companies like Everest Pharmacy are already preparing for new customers. “I’ve heard projections of 11,000 new jobs and I think that’s true or maybe even a little bit low,” said Trishelle Kirk, chief operating officer at Everest Apothecary Kirk said that cannabis-related jobs are the ones that are the younger ones Generations want. “We have a lot of talent here. We have a lot of people who have a lot to offer with technical knowledge and experience,” said Kirk. “And to inspire these people and give them the opportunity to build their own business is simply huge for our state.” Kirk believes cannabis-related jobs can also help people get out of a life of crime. “This is a job now, but it could be a career,” said Kirk. “You can support your family and invest in that community.”

Goal 7 addresses some of the benefits and unintended consequences that New Mexico could face as the state prepares for recreational cannabis sales.

With the stroke of a pen, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham legalized recreational cannabis and spoke about what it means for the state.

“11,000 new jobs, $ 100 million in sales,” said Lujan Grisham.

It is expected to become a thriving industry in New Mexico, as in other states.

“Right now, Colorado is a billion dollar industry,” said Wendi Roewer, field intelligence manager at the Denver Drug Enforcement Agency.

But Roewer said the weed isn’t always greener for states legalizing recreational cannabis.

“It gives criminal organizations an opportunity to take advantage of legalization,” said Roewer. “The state does not benefit from tax revenues at all. What it brings in is another crime.”

Roewer said the Colorado cannabis market is saturated, so sophisticated criminal organizations open up a business in the state and then cross state lines. She added, “Almost all of the black market marijuana grown here is no longer okay.”

Ben Lewinger of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, a group advocating recreational cannabis, said, “There are many lessons to be learned from other states about what to do and what not to do.”

Lewinger said Lujan Grisham set up a working group to travel to states with legalized cannabis to find out the pros and cons.

“What happened is that you had too much cannabis to market and it was just dumped on the illegal market and eventually found its way around the country,” Lewinger said.

He said that in some other states like Oregon, for example, there are no limits on the number of plants. But New Mexico law has limits. He said this was a way for the state to curb the growth of the illegal market.

However, Roewer said another unintended consequence of legalization is the crime that follows organized black market groups.

“We have even seen people smuggling cases where they get individuals to work on these increases and basically make them work as more or less identified servants,” said Roewer.

Most often, the Denver DEA sees cases of financial or mortgage fraud.

Only time will tell if legalization will cause problems in New Mexico. But right now the state is seeing some of the benefits.

Medical marijuana companies like Everest Pharmacy are already preparing for new customers.

“I’ve heard projections of 11,000 new jobs and I think that’s true or maybe even a little low,” said Trishelle Kirk, chief operating officer at Everest Apothecary.

Kirk said cannabis-related jobs are the ones the younger generations want.

“We have a lot of talent here. We have a lot of people who have a lot to give with technical knowledge and experience,” said Kirk. “And to inspire these people and give them the opportunity to build their own business is just huge for our state.”

Kirk believes cannabis-related jobs can also help people get out of a life of crime.

“This is a job now, but it could be a career,” said Kirk. “You can support your family and invest in that community.”