Who’s applying to be New Mexico’s first cannabis producers?

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – In just two months since the Cannabis Control Division (CCD) began accepting applications for producer licenses, there have already been more than 1,500 applications started by would-be entrepreneurs, according to the CCD. Of those, more than 1,000 of the applications are for what are called “microbusinesses,” or smaller cannabis growers who can produce no more than 200 plants.

“We’re off to a great start,” says John Blair, the deputy superintendent for the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, which oversees CCD. “I don’t know that we could have anticipated what the demand was going to be other than knowing there really seems to be a great excitement across the state.”

To learn more about who wants to enter New Mexico’s cannabis industry, through public records requests, KRQE News 13 obtained copies of every producer application — meaning the applicant will have some sort of grow facility, but may also engage in retail or other aspects. The data isn’t entirely complete — many of the applications are still in progress — but the documents give a unique look into how the industry is developing.

No limit on the number of cannabis producer licenses

As of the end of September, just over 100 different businesses were looking to set up shop as cannabis producers, manufacturers, or retailers. As time goes on, of course, more people will likely apply. [Read More @ KRQE]