Full-Service Cannabis Consulting Tailored to New Mexico's Unique Market Needs

Unlock success in New Mexico’s cannabis industry with Catalyst BC—your trusted partner for expert cannabis consulting, seamless cannabis licensing and applications, compliance with New Mexico cannabis law, cutting-edge facility design, and maximizing yield & profit optimization.

Learn about New Mexico Cannabis Laws

New Mexico, located in the southwestern United States, is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and growing economy. Home to over 2 million residents, the state blends deep Indigenous, Spanish, and Western influences, making it a unique hub of history and innovation. Anchored by Albuquerque—the largest city and a major economic center—New Mexico also thrives through key cities like Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Roswell, each contributing to its business, arts, and tourism industries.

The state’s landscape is equally diverse, featuring breathtaking deserts, rugged mountains, and historic pueblos, alongside vibrant urban centers. New Mexico’s economy is powered by industries such as energy, aerospace, film production, and an emerging cannabis market, reflecting its commitment to both tradition and progress. As one of the oldest inhabited regions in the country, New Mexico continues to celebrate its rich past while embracing new opportunities for growth and development.

Legal Status of Cannabis in New Mexico

Cannabis is legal in New Mexico for both medical and recreational use. Under the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program, patients with qualifying conditions can obtain a medical marijuana card through the New Mexico Department of Health. Cardholders may purchase cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries while adhering to possession limits defined by state guidelines.

Recreational cannabis is legal for adults aged 21 and older. Current regulations allow adults to possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis in public, with additional allowances for home storage. Moreover, New Mexico permits personal cultivation, allowing up to six mature plants per person (with a maximum of 12 plants per household). The state enforces strict quality and safety standards at licensed dispensaries, and penalties remain in place for unauthorized possession or distribution.

Catalyst BC, aligned with New Mexico’s legal framework, provides hemp and cannabis cultivators, farmers, businesses, and suppliers with comprehensive seed-to-sale support. Our services include New Mexico cannabis licensing and application assistance, business strategy development, financial planning, start-up support, and expert guidance on New Mexico state cannabis laws.

Book your complimentary New Mexico cannabis consultation today and let our New Mexico cannabis consulting experts help you navigate the industry with confidence.

Legal Status of Hemp Farming in New Mexico

Hemp farming in New Mexico is legal under the state’s Industrial Hemp Program, established in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill. The program is administered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, which issues licenses for growing, processing, and handling industrial hemp. Farmers must adhere to rigorous THC testing requirements to ensure that hemp crops remain below the federal threshold of 0.3% THC, with any non-compliant crops subject to regulatory action.

New Mexico’s hemp industry emphasizes the production of fiber, grain, and CBD products, while fostering research and innovation to drive industry growth. To help you thrive in this market, our New Mexico cannabis and hemp consulting team provides comprehensive resources and expert guidance for local hemp growers navigating licensing and operational requirements—contributing to the development of a regulated and profitable hemp market.

Ready to start your journey in hemp farming in New Mexico? Contact our New Mexico cannabis and hemp consulting team today to get started.

Navigating the Complexities of Operating a Cannabis or Hemp Business in New Mexico

The state’s regulated cannabis and hemp markets require a careful strategy to remain compliant with New Mexico’s evolving cannabis laws.

Catalyst BC is the industry leader in Business Strategy, Financial Planning, New Mexico Cannabis Licensing & Applications, Facility Design, Startup Support, Operational Optimization, Genetic Development, and Cannabis Business Turnaround serving the New Mexico cannabis and hemp industries.

Schedule your complimentary New Mexico cannabis consultation to learn more.

New Mexico Cannabis Application Guide

New Mexico Cannabis Laws and Regulations

If you’re looking to launch a cannabis business in New Mexico, the first step is to thoroughly review the state’s laws and regulations. Understanding New Mexico’s cannabis laws, rules & regulations will help you navigate the New Mexico cannabis licensing and application processes and ensure compliance with state requirements.

Additionally, it’s highly advisable to review the following essential rules before starting your New Mexico cannabis license application.

Key areas to familiarize yourself with include:

The cannabis program structure
Available New Mexico cannabis license types
The application process for a New Mexico cannabis business license

Understanding these regulations is critical to successfully securing and maintaining your cannabis license in New Mexico. For expert guidance, contact our New Mexico cannabis consulting team to help you navigate the process with confidence.

New Mexico Cannabis Licensing and Application Governing Body (New Mexico Cannabis Control Division)

The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) oversees cannabis licensing, applications, and regulating all commercial cannabis operations in the State of New Mexico.

Types of Cannabis Licenses in New Mexico

The Cannabis Control Division regulates all licensees operating in cannabis markets in New Mexico. This includes reviewing applications and issuing licenses for adult-use cannabis establishments.

The division’s goal is to provide licensing information to applicants and licensees so that they can more easily navigate the application and licensing processes, and remain compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

If you are a first-time applicant, it is important to determine the type of license that fits your business model. Below is a brief description of the license types available. If you are unsure which cannabis license type is best suited to your intended business, contact our New Mexico cannabis consultants for additional guidance and support.

Cannabis Consumption Area

A licensed premise where cannabis products may be served and consumed. Alcohol cannot be sold or consumed in a cannabis consumption area. Local jurisdictions may deny cannabis consumption area licenses.

Cannabis Courier

A person or business licensed to transport cannabis products to qualified patients, primary caregivers, or reciprocal participants, or directly to consumers.

Cannabis Manufacturer

A person or business licensed to processes and prepare cannabis into usable cannabis products; has cannabis products tested by a third-party cannabis testing lab and package cannabis products for retail use; or to purchase, acquire, sell, or transport wholesale cannabis products to other cannabis establishments.

Cannabis Producer

A person or business licensed to cultivate cannabis plants; has unprocessed cannabis plants; has unprocessed cannabis products tested by a third-party cannabis testing lab; transport unprocessed products only to other cannabis establishments; or sell cannabis products wholesale.

Cannabis Producer Microbusiness

A person or business licensed to produce cannabis products at a single premise that possesses no more than two hundred (200) total mature cannabis plants at any one time.

Cannabis Research Laboratory

A licensed facility that produces or possesses cannabis products and all parts of the plant genus Cannabis for the purpose of studying cannabis cultivation, characteristics, or uses. A cannabis research laboratory does not test cannabis or cannabis products for wholesale or retail use.

Cannabis Retailer

A person or business licensed to sell cannabis products to qualified patients; primary caregivers or reciprocal participants; or directly to consumers twenty-one (21) years of age and older with active, valid identification.

Cannabis Testing Laboratory

A person or establishment that samples, collects, and tests cannabis products for wholesale or retail use only. A cannabis testing laboratory does not produce or possess plant genus Cannabis for the purpose of studying cannabis cultivation, characteristics, or uses.

Integrated Cannabis Microbusiness (MICB)

A person or business authorized to conduct one or more the following: production of cannabis at a single licensed premises with no more than two hundred (200) total mature cannabis plants at any one time in their possession; manufacture of cannabis products at a single licensed premises; sales and transportation of only cannabis products produced or manufactured by that person or business; operation of only one (1) retail establishment; couriering of cannabis products to qualified patients, primary caregivers or reciprocal participants, or directly to consumers. A micro integrated cannabis business (MICB) may not have multiple sublicenses of each type under the mother MICB license, only one (1) of each function.

Vertically Integrated Cannabis Establishment (VIC)

A person or business authorized to act as any of the following: a cannabis courier, a cannabis manufacturer, a cannabis producer, or a cannabis retailer. A vertically integrated cannabis establishment may have multiple sublicenses of each type under the mother VIC license.

Fees for New Mexico Cannabis Licenses (Updated 2025)

New Mexico cannabis applicants and licensees shall be charged fees for various activities, some of which include the following:

LICENSE / PERMIT	ANNUAL FEES
Cannabis Producer License:	$2,500.00 annual license fee $1,000.00 annual fee for each licensed premises Annual per plant fee (up to 16,000 plants) $5.00 per plant for each mature commercial cannabis plant $2.50 per plant for each mature medical cannabis plant
Cannabis Producer Microbusiness License:	The fees for this license type are determined by the number of plants growing under each microbusiness license: $1,000.00 annual fee if growing 1 to 200 plants
Cannabis Manufacturer License:	$2,500.00 annual license fee $1,000.00 annual fee for each licensed premises
Cannabis Retailer License:	$2,500.00 annual license fee $1,000.00 annual fee for each licensed premises
Vertically Integrated Cannabis Establishment License:	$7,500.00 annual license fee $1,000.00 annual fee for each licensed premises Annual per plant producer fee (up to 16,000 plants) $5.00 per plant for each mature commercial cannabis plant $2.50 per plant for each mature medical cannabis plant
Integrated Cannabis Microbusiness License:	Under this license type, a licensee can participate in up to three cannabis activities: production at a single location, manufacturing at a single location, operation of a single cannabis retail establishment, and sale and transport of cannabis products produced or manufactured by the licensee: $2,500.00 annual fee for (1) Retail (1) Manufacturer (1) Production
Cannabis Testing Laboratory License:	$2,500.00 annual license fee $1,000.00 annual fee for each licensed premises
Cannabis Research Laboratory License:	$2,500.00 annual license fee $1,000.00 annual fee for each licensed premises
Cannabis Courier License:	$250.00 annual license fee $100.00 annual fee for each licensed premises
Cannabis Consumption Area:	Up to $2,500.00/year

For a complete breakdown of fees based on your New Mexico cannabis license & business type, contact our New Mexico cannabis consulting team for expected total costs.

Limits on Issuance New Mexico Cannabis Licenses

Currently, the State of New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department does not have any limits on any cannabis license types per the Cannabis Regulation Act.

New Mexico Cannabis License Application Turnaround Times

The CCD doesn’t offer time frames for how long an application will take to process. Each application is unique, and some may have different requirements than others. The CCD relies on other state agencies to provide them with information and your application cannot be processed without this information.

Eliminate any unnecessary delays due to incomplete information, missing paperwork, or other application anomalies by collaborating with our New Mexico cannabis consulting team for expert guidance.

Who to Contact Regarding New Mexico Cannabis License Questions

Schedule a call with our New Mexico cannabis consulting team for expert guidance and coaching through the New Mexico cannabis license & application processes.

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notifying you which licensing specialist has been assigned to your case, along with their contact information. If you haven’t been assigned to a licensing specialist and you have a question specific to licensing or concerning your application, you can email CCD’s Licensing department at CCD.Licensing@rld.nm.gov or visit the CCD website for a staff directory.

Water Rights Notice for New Mexico Cannabis License Applicants

You will need to contact the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (OSE) for all water sources except municipal water to obtain approval and validation for your water rights and to determine if the right is configured correctly for the proposed use and place of use etc.

All water rights must be approved BEFORE an applicant may apply for a cannabis producer license.

For information regarding the required documentation and the approval process, you may contact your local District (Map) by visiting the OSE website at: Water Rights Allocation Program – NM OSE. A YouTube tutorial may be accessed through the following link: Cannabis Water Rights Verification (Video).

In addition, the OSE requires applicants to complete the OSE Cannabis Water Rights Review Accession Form, which can be downloaded from the following link: Accession Form. More Information can be found at: OSE FAQs

If you are unclear on the process of confirming you have the proper water rights before submitting your application, contact our New Mexico cannabis consulting team for further guidance.

Best Practices in Completing a New Mexico Cannabis License Application

Securing a cannabis license in New Mexico is a complex process, but with the right strategy and support, success is within reach. From navigating regulations to crafting high-scoring applications, our team at Catalyst BC is here to help you achieve your cannabis business goals.

Contact our New Mexico cannabis consultants today to schedule a call and take the first step toward launching your New Mexico cannabis business.

Free eBook: Starting A Legal Cannabis Business

Discover the secrets to building a thriving cannabis business with our free eBook, Starting a Legal Cannabis Business: From Formation to Acquisition! This comprehensive guide walks you through every stage of launching and scaling a cannabis business, from navigating regulations and securing licenses to optimizing operations and planning your exit strategy. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an experienced operator, this resource is packed with expert insights to help you succeed in this dynamic industry. Download your free copy today and take the first step toward cannabis business success!

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