Town finalizes cannabis regulations (Taos News 10/14/21)
The official legalization of recreational cannabis is looming ever closer while local governments have been rushing to put ordinances in place. As the town of Taos Council wrapped up their special meeting Oct. 7, they became the one of the last municipalities around the Enchanted Circle to formalize local regulations relating to cannabis retail locations, consumption spaces and grow operations.
The new ordinance will help guide those looking to produce, sell or generally consume cannabis. While the state’s Cannabis Regulation Act establishes many of the key foundations of the ways cannabis will be regulated, it has been left up to local governments to decide how they will regulate the placement of dispensaries, grow operations and consumption spaces, the hours of operation and local permitting fees.
Little local control
The town management expressed frustration in their narrow ability to set local guidelines for cannabis use. “There is very limited authority for local governments to regulate cannabis,” said town attorney Stephen Ross. “They took the time to write up a list of the things we can’t do,” he said of the bill.
Currently, the state-level bill controls aspects of new regulation like signage, cannabis transportation and facility distancing (which cannot be prohibited by more than 300 feet of distance from another cannabis store, school or daycare).
Essentially the ordinance allows local municipalities to “[regulate] the time, place and the manner of various activities relating to cannabis,” said Ross.
“This bill sucks,” said Town Manager Rick Bellis of the New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act. He said there were “very few” city planners and lawyers involved in creating the original bill, which resulted in an act that left local governments with little breathing room.
Zoning and placement
One factor the town does have control over is where to allow various cannabis facilities. The town ordinance as written does not allow for cannabis operations of any kind to be located within 300 feet of the Historic Taos Plaza or any private residence. Facilities must also must be located more than 300 feet away from schools, day care centers – and each other.
Read more at Town finalizes cannabis regulations (Taos News 10/14/21)