SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KTSM) — Federal agents are seizing legalized cannabis products in the state, a growing concern for business owners in New Mexico's cannabis industry.
Two years after recreational marijuana became legal in the state, cannabis business owners say their products are being seized at Customs and Border Protection checkpoints.
Matt Chadwick, owner of Top Crop Cannabis, said 22 pounds of product was seized at a checkpoint in Albuquerque on Wednesday, February 14th.
The seized product was sold for $139,000 and operations manager Nick Spoor was detained for four hours.
“It's like we're operating in two separate states, the northern part of the state and the southern part of the state, but everyone in the northern part of the state doesn't have any problems,” Chadwick said.
Chadwick and other cannabis businesses in New Mexico have formed a coalition calling for changes within the legal system.
“We want us to just sit down and work together to find a solution that allows us to operate efficiently. Perhaps this is a way to declare products as they pass through checkpoints; There may be some training you can do to show that you have the drivers listed. The manifest says: Here's how to check all these products. On this subject: There has to be a solution in a way that both sides win,” Chadwick explained.
Since the recreational sale and use of marijuana became legal in New Mexico, market profits have exceeded $1 billion.
From that profit, 20 percent of cannabis sales go back to state and local governments. Chadwick said Percent would take a huge financial hit if the product continues to be seized.
“If you include all the companies that are part of the coalition that we work with, I think there's over $300,000 in product seized so far,” Chadwick said.
“People's jobs are at risk in this case. Many of these other companies don't have as much bandwidth as we do. So we're putting everyone's jobs at risk. We are standing up and building this coalition to bring about positive change across the industry,” Chadwick said.
KTSM reached out to the New Mexico Division of Cannabis Control regarding the ongoing issue, which stated:
“The Division of Cannabis Control is aware that products from licensed New Mexico cannabis operators are being seized by Border Patrol agents at federal checkpoints. This is a matter of concern to all. We are working to gather as much information as possible regarding this issue and look forward to working with authorities at the federal level towards an appropriate resolution.”
