Las Cruces City Council reviewed staff recommendations for cannabis regulation during a working session Monday.
Las Cruces City Council is working to shape cannabis policy at the local level by reviewing recommendations on time, place and type during a recent working session. Policy considerations include restricting consumption areas to indoor spaces and establishing buffer zones between companies.
This buffer zone, a proposed 1,000 feet, has been a cause for concern to some members of the public as cannabis industry stakeholders advocate reducing the required distance from businesses in a recent cannabis town hall.
Xavier Hall from Las Cruces, who works in the cannabis industry, spoke out against the recommended distance at the working session, saying that those working in the cannabis industry face major challenges when trying to secure a place for their business.
“That only exacerbates a difficult problem that we have … I was looking for a new location for us for the past year and a half because we have outgrown the location we are in,” said Halle. “What I noticed is that you think facilities are open but the owners don’t want you. They don’t want you there. “
Katherine Harrison-Rogers of the town’s community development department says the town has heard from many residents who oppose some of the recommendations.
“We have had a lot of feedback on this, maybe that it could be an overrun in relation to the neighborhood as we don’t need it for bars, pharmacies or anything like that,” said Harrison-said Roger. “The way we have written the language, we have an adequate procedure at this point in time if people in these industries wanted to be closer to these residential areas or from another cannabis retailer.”
Councilor Johana Bencomo spoke out in favor of the reduction and called for the proposed distance to be changed to 600 feet – a statewide recommendation from the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.
“How do we try to de-stigmatize as much as possible? Personally, I would welcome and support going down to 600 and accepting the industry recommendation, ”said Bencomo.
The proposed policy also requires cannabis companies to keep 100 feet of single-family residential areas. Councilor Tessa Abeyta-Stuve says she is comfortable with recruiting.
She also recommended that companies should be required to install both cameras and lights to create clear lines of sight around the facilities.
“At least I think cameras and lights are special [need to be] very clearly marked at the entrance and exit, ”said Abeyta-Stuve. “When people withdraw, I think they have to have a really clear view … I have one on the corner of the university and El Paseo, where there are trees that are only decorative but they pose.” when it comes to moving away from these areas. “
Las Cruces Assistant City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau says the state is already working to ensure security measures are in place.
“The state will look out for lights and cameras to ensure security and adequate security with a security guard. We’ll take care of that, ”said Taumoepeau. “We’re also working with the state so we can review these plans… One of the things we can investigate and get information is the nature of the speeds. We can do public works and see these areas along the business parks that could be perfect places for pharmacies. “
Members of the public interested in providing additional feedback on the city’s cannabis policy can do so through the Las Cruces City Cannabis Survey.
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