NM needs a cannabis director who isn’t in the industry
Conflicts, turnover put public health regulations on the back burner
The constant turnover at the helm of the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD), which has cycled through three leaders over its short history, signals dysfunction and undermines public trust. Now, with a new director opening, we have the opportunity to get this right. The state government should hire a health care professional to run CCD who will put public health ahead of industry interests.
The CCD has experienced much turmoil since it was established in April 2021. Kristen Thomson, a former lobbyist for the marijuana industry who was its first director, served from November 2021 until June 2022. Thomson was followed by Carolina Barrera, who resigned as the acting director in August 2022. And Barrera was succeeded by Andrew Vallejos, who just announced his resignation. A director has yet to last more than eight months.
This turmoil has resulted in the CCD’s failure to ensure the compliance of the budding marijuana industry. KQRE reported the state had conducted “about 100 inspections” of dispensaries and found nearly one-third were non-compliant with regulations. Target 7 discovered “some dispensaries are selling out-of-state marijuana, which in some cases puts consumers at risk.”
Notably, there appears to be a revolving door between the CCD, the taxpayer-funded agency responsible for regulating the marijuana industry, and the industry itself. Kristen Thomson, the one-time director of the CCD, and Bobbi Martinez, the CCD’s compliance manager, both took jobs with Weeds, a pro-marijuana consulting firm. Weeds eagerly announced Martinez “literally helped write the book on compliance in New Mexico” and had “done almost every job in the cannabis industry.” The appearance of a conflict of interest erodes trust in the ostensibly impartial regulators expected to safeguard public health.
As the CCD looks to hire its fourth director in less than two years, it must hire someone who will put the interests of New Mexico’s families over those of the marijuana industry. It must also be stricter on dispensaries, ensuring they comply with existing laws and regulations. This hiring comes at a critical time, as the state continues to roll out legalization and establishes operational norms.
This past legislative session, lawmakers considered dozens of bills related to marijuana regulations. These ranged from preventing marijuana packaging from looking like nonmarijuana products –– which could appeal to minors –– to increasing funding for addiction treatment. Because the CCD has just eight inspectors for more than 600 dispensaries and nearly 500 manufacturer licenses, Vallejos, the most recent director, was said to have been “seeking to get funding from the state Legislature to hire more inspectors.”
Yet with Vallejos gone, no one is currently in place to advocate for much-needed public health measures or increased funding for the CCD. While the next acting director works to get up to speed, the for-profit marijuana industry –– with the help of former CCD officials like Thomson –– will surely continue selling and promoting its addictive products throughout the Land of Enchantment.
New Mexico has the chance to hire a director for the Cannabis Control Division who will be committed to the office over the long run. As officials review potential candidates, they must select an individual with a proven commitment to public health who has no stake in the marijuana industry and will take the necessary steps to ensure the industry complies with established safeguards.