The Colorado Springs Gazette final

New Mexico to end taxes on med pot, increase grow limits

SANTA FE • New Mexico will stop charging sales taxes on medical marijuana and begin revising limits on pot cultivation June 29 in the first steps towards legalization of recreational marijuana, top health and licensing regulators announced Wednesday in a letter to authorized cannabis businesses.

Medical marijuana business last month voiced concerns about a potential run on pot supplies and shortages during the transition if authorities don’t move soon to lift a statewide limit on the number of marijuana plants that can be raised by each licensed grower.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham enacted legislation last month that outlines the oversight, licensing and taxation of the recreational cannabis sector and sets an April 1, 2022, deadline for the first nonmedical marijuana sales.

State Heath Secretary Tracie Collins and Regulation and Licensing Superintendent Linda Trujillo disagree with warnings about an imminent marijuana shortage. They acknowledge possession of up to 2 ounces of marijuana becomes legal on June 29 — but recreational marijuana sales won’t kick off until later.

The state’s Cannabis Regulation Act leaves many decisions about marijuana oversight, including caps on cultivation, to the Regulation and Licensing Department and a rulemaking process that involves public comment. “Rulemaking will include revisions to existing producer plant limits, although the content of the proposed rules has not yet been determined,” the letter from regulators states.

“The proposed rules will be made available to the public in late May, and a public hearing will be scheduled to occur on June 29, 2021, or shortly thereafter.”

BUSINESS

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2021-05-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-05-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.gazette.com/article/281994675360917

The Gazette, Colorado Springs