Controversy Over New Mexico's Requirements For Cannabis Businesses, As New Report Reveals Surprising Job Numbers

Las Cruces On The Brink: Removing Buffer Requirements For Cannabis Businesses Sparks Debate

Las Cruces, New Mexico, is deliberating the removal of buffer requirements for cannabis businesses, allowing them to operate within 300 feet of residential areas and other dispensaries without the need for special use permits.

According to KFOX14, the decision has sparked division among locals, with supporters emphasizing the need for a safety zone and opponents questioning fairness as compared to other industries like bars.

Some residents oppose removing the buffers, citing concerns about setting a negative example for the community and children. Conversely, proponents believe that clustering cannabis businesses can foster competition and lower prices for consumers.

On Monday, the Las Cruces city council met to decide the fate of the distance requirements for cannabis businesses. So stay tuned.

Surprising Job Figures In New Mexico

Meanwhile, an analysis conducted by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions revealed that the state's cannabis industry employed over 4,500 individuals across 150 businesses in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Dispensaries comprised the majority of registered firms, followed by cultivation, processing and wholesale sectors. The analysis also examined wages, with cannabis industry workers earning an average weekly wage of $560 in Q4 2022, reported Farmington Daily Times.

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Although this represented a decline from the previous year, workers from sectors like accommodation and food service were attracted to the cannabis industry for the higher wages.

Retail trade and arts, entertainment and recreation industries outperformed the cannabis sector in terms of average weekly earnings.

The analysis provided insights into the industry's growth and economic impact within a year of legalized recreational cannabis sales, showcasing employment opportunities in New Mexico.

“In just one year, adult-use cannabis sales have generated $300 million in our state, boosting our economy, generating revenue for local communities, and creating thousands of jobs. This is just the beginning of what New Mexico can expect from our newest industry!” recently tweeted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D).

Las Cruces' deliberations highlight the evolving regulatory landscape for cannabis, while the analysis emphasizes the robust employment prospects within New Mexico's flourishing weed sector.

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Image Credits: Scott Elkins On Unsplash