As previously reported a bill to beef up the enforcement powers of the Cannabis Control Board in New Mexico is making its way to become law. The proposed bill would establish an enforcement bureau within the Regulation and Licensing Department and expand the Cannabis Control Division's regulatory authority is one step away from becoming law after passing the New Mexico Senate today.
House Bill 10 will allow the department to hire seven certified peace officers to investigate and pursue criminal charges against individuals who violate licensing requirements and defy the Cannabis Regulation Act. The bill moves to the governor's desk for signature.
HB 10, sponsored by Rep. Doreen Gallegos, and co-sponsored by House Speaker Javier Martinez and House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, fills an important gap in current enforcement options and administrative laws that limits the department's ability to quickly act on cannabis-related criminal offenses. The bill will give the Cannabis Control Division (CCD) the ability to prevent the movement of potentially dangerous cannabis products or obtain and execute search warrants at unlicensed facilities.
The CCD is currently limited to administrative authority when enforcing laws under the Cannabis Regulation Act. While the CCD can issue civil fines, all the division can currently do when illicit cannabis activity is uncovered is refer those matters to state and local law enforcement agencies.
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