Cannabis license applications being accepted on website

The Cannabis Control Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department on Wednesday announced it is accepting applications for cannabis producer licenses via an online system.

“We are open for business,” Regulation and Licensing Department Superintendent Linda M. Trujillo stated in a news release. “Effective today, businesses and entrepreneurs can use our streamlined online system to submit their application to become a producer in New Mexico’s growing cannabis industry.”

Previously, under the medical cannabis program, producers submitted a paper-only application that required applicants to provide pages and pages of documentation.

The new licensing system the CCD launched Wednesday is completed online and requires applicants to provide documentation electronically and attest to other documentation rather than submitting reams of paperwork.

Applicants simply need to go to the online portal at ccd.rld.state.nm.us/adult-use-licenses-permits-and-fees/, create an account and start their application.

“The Cannabis Control Division is committed to standing up the adult-use cannabis industry and maintaining our nationally recognized medical cannabis program in ways that support businesses, consumers and communities,” Trujillo said. “CCD has invested time and resources into developing a user-friendly application system so that producers can get to work faster. And, for consumer and worker security, our robust accountability protocols will ensure that licensees are always in compliance.”

Prospective producers can learn more about application requirements, types of licenses and fee structure on the CCD website. The CCD has 90 days to approve or deny an application once a completed application is received.

The system is accepting producer and producer microbusiness license applications for now.

Rules for retail, manufacturing and other parts of the supply chain will be finalized by Jan. 1, 2022. As rules are adopted for each sector, the online system will expand to accept those applications too.

Integrated businesses — those businesses that become licensed to perform more than one industry function — will apply for an individual license for each component of their integrated business as the licensing for that component begins.

However, any fees paid by integrated businesses toward an individual industry license will count toward the total fee they would pay if applying for an integrated license at one time.

Under the Cannabis Regulation Act, adult-use cannabis sales will start no later than April 2022.