Cannabis businesses in Artesia wait for Eddy County approval before opening
Sales of medical and recreational cannabis in northern Eddy County could grow in the coming months if the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners approves three variances for cannabis establishments.
Commissioners will hold three public hearings in June at the commission chambers in Carlsbad to hear variance requests from businesses who propose to open north of the Artesia city limits in unincorporated areas that fall within the jurisdictions of Eddy County.
All three businesses are close to residential areas in the Artesia area meaning variances are needed.
Artesia has one cannabis retailer in the city limits. Pecos Valley Production based in Roswell opened the location in September of last year at the former Chaos Café on First Street.
More: Cannabis regulations for unincorporated areas of Eddy County passes County Commission
According to the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s (NMRLD) Cannabis Reporting Online Portal (CROP, Artesia reported $1.4 million in medical and recreational cannabis sales in April of 2023.
Who are the three businesses?
An Eddy County Commission document indicated New Mexico Organics-Ultra Health, Cave City Cannabis Company LLP and Brownsen Knowingham LLC applied for the variances.
Ultra-Health’s website indicated its new cannabis shop would be located at 1701 North First and was “coming soon.”
Cave City’s Cannabis location is 1711 North First, read the commission document.
Brownsen Knowingham plans to place a cannabis microbusiness production facility at 7425 North U.S. Highway 285. The company received approval from New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division (CCD) for the microbusiness in August 2022, according to the agency’s website.
“The three locations that are being heard for variance requests are not the only locations in the County,” said Steve McCroskey, Eddy County’s Community Services interim director.
He said there are other locations on the CCD website.
More: Eddy County Commissioner Carlson calls for public input on cannabis ordinance
“There is only one additional location that has made an application and/or been approved by Eddy County,” McCroskey said.
“There are locations that have not made applications to Eddy County but have received approval from the CCD,” he added.
A closer look at Eddy County's cannabis ordinance
Commissioners passed a cannabis control measure in November 2021, nearly eight months after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Cannabis Control Act passed by the New Mexico Legislature.
Recreational cannabis sales in New Mexico started April 1, 2022.
Eddy County’s ordinance regulates cannabis use and sales in unincorporated areas outside of the Carlsbad and Artesia city limits and the village limits of Hope and Loving.
McCroskey said cannabis establishments are required to be 300 feet away from residences, churches, libraries, cultural and community centers, public parks or government facilities.
“The State (of New Mexico) additionally requires 300 feet separation from schools or daycare centers,” he said.
Eddy County’s ordinance restricts hours of operation for consumption and retailers.
McCroskey said cannabis establishments need a county business license and a cannabis establishment permit before they can open to the public.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Cannabis trade anticipated to grow in Artesia pending county approval
