New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division Names Members of Advisory Committee

New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division announced the members of its Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee on Aug. 6.

The advisory committee was created by the Cannabis Regulation Act, the state’s adult-use cannabis law, to weigh in on the rulemaking process. The group will advise the Cannabis Control Division on the development of regulations covering best practices, the promotion of economic and cultural diversity in cannabis licensing and employment opportunities, and the protection of public health and safety.

The following people will serve on the Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee:

• A cannabis policy advocacy organization, Emily Kaltenbach, Santa Fe County
• A labor organization, Esther Lopez, Bernalillo County
• A qualified patient, Nathaniel Paolinelli
• A state or local agency with relevant expertise as the Director and the Superintendent deems appropriate, Paul Haidle, Bernalillo County
• An Indian nation, tribe or pueblo with relevant experience as the Director and the Superintendent deem appropriate, Perry Martinez, San Ildefonso Pueblo
• Expertise in public health, Steven Jenison, Santa Fe County
• Expertise regulating commercial activity for adult-use intoxicating substances, Lou Ann Branch, Bernalillo County
• Expertise and experience in cannabis laboratory science, Ginger Baker, Bernalillo County
• Experience in environmental science, Miguel Santistevan, Taos County
• Expertise in small business development, Chase Gentry, Curry County
• Expertise in water resources, Harold Trujillo, Mora County
• Expertise in other relevant areas as the Director and the Superintendent deem appropriate, President Richard Bailey, Rio Arriba County
• Previous experience as a cannabis retailer, cannabis producer or cannabis manufacturer and who is a non-voting member, Rachael Speegle, Bernalillo County
• Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur, Santa Fe County
• Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage, Eddy County
• First Judicial District Attorney, Mary Carmack-Altwies, Santa Fe County
• Roswell Police Chief Phil Smith, Chaves County

“I am excited to work with this outstanding and diverse advisory committee to make sure that real people, from all walks of life and all parts of the state, have a strong, clear voice as the adult-use cannabis industry starts up in New Mexico,” Regulation and Licensing Department Superintendent Linda Trujillo said in a public statement. “Adult-use cannabis is creating exciting economic opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs and communities around the state. With this committee’s guidance, we will continue to meet our goal of making this new industry accessible.”

RELATED: New Mexico Prepares for April Launch of Adult-Use Cannabis Sales

The Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting on Aug. 10, and the agenda includes review of the proposed draft rules for cannabis producers.

Adult-use cannabis sales are expected to launch by April 1, 2022.