NM’s Recreational Grand Opening, the U.N.’s Special 4/20 Session, and NJ’s Delayed Rec. Market

New Mexico is launching its recreational cannabis market, the United Nations is taking part in a special session on 4/20, and New Jersey’s recreational market has hit yet another delay.

Let’s dive into this week’s cannanews.

New Mexico’s Recreational Market Officially Opens

New Mexico’s recreational cannabis market is officially open for business as of April 1. Before the state’s residents head to the nearest dispensary to celebrate, however, there are a couple of important things to know. 

To start, customers will not be able to purchase cannabis, even if it’s in edible form, with EBT or food stamps. According to New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) Director Kristen Thomson, “Because cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, cannabis and foods with cannabis additives don’t comply with federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT).”

Smoking at national parks will be illegal since they are run by the federal government. Smoking at city parks will similarly be illegal—though Albuquerque’s city council has recently discussed getting rid of that ordinance. Surprisingly, consuming cannabis at state parks will be completely legal as long as it’s kept inside your tent or camper. This is because both tents and campers are considered extensions of the home, where cannabis use is legal.

Most importantly, those looking to shop on April 1 should be aware that they may encounter some product shortages. “Just like any new product release or a new restaurant opening, there will always be some lines and shortages of some products,” Thomson said.

Medical cannabis patients, on the other hand, should not worry about the shortages affecting their supply. The CCD is letting shops know that 20% of their product needs to be reserved for medical patients.

Will you be visiting a New Mexico dispensary on opening day? What do you think about the state’s recreational use guidelines? Let us know in the comments!

United Nations to Host a Special 4/20 Session

The U.N. is gearing up for a very special session on April 20. In what the organization is calling a “special research activity,” leaders from all around the world are expected to take part in a round table meeting where they will smoke cannabis together. 

The goal of the special session is to explore the effects of cannabis and “vibe out” while getting as high as possible. To do so, the leaders are planning to pass a cannabis pre-roll around the table, taking two puffs before passing it around—or as cannabis researcher Calvin Broadus has famously called it, a “puff puff pass.” 

President Biden has already promised that he will match flower with Russia and China. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also promised to bring his famous “special brownies” for those who are not down to smoke. The schedule for the event includes a smoke session and a philosophical debate on whether “water is wet,” followed by a screening of That 70’s Show (a favorite of Chinese President Xi Jinping).

Which world leader do you think will get the highest? What do you think Biden’s favorite strain is? Let us know in the comments!

New Jersey’s Recreational Market Delayed, Again

Earlier this month, New Jersey regulators announced that they would not be authorizing medical marijuana dispensaries to sell on the recreational market just yet. With this most recent delay, state voters have now waited more than a year to see the recreational market they approved become a reality. 

The New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association voiced its disapproval of the delay, saying, “When it comes down to it, it’s New Jersey’s citizens who are missing out…The adult-use market will be a huge boom to New Jersey’s economy.” 

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, meanwhile, has come out in defense of the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), urging his constituents to practice patience. “I believe it will still be a matter of weeks. It is not going to be months. I can’t tell you exactly a date. The commission is doing a great job,” said the governor in a recent interview. The delay, the governor explained, is all about ensuring New Jersey’s recreational market remains equitable. 

Cannabis advocates around the state have similarly come out in support of the CRC’s slow approach to authorization. Parabola Center founder Shaleen Title, for example, recently praised the CRC’s commitment to sticking to its goals despite outside pressure to speed up its authorization process, saying, “…it’s better to ensure that the state’s requirements are met rather than taking shortcuts that would only cause problems later, as seen in so many other states.”

What do you think of the New Jersey CRC’s slow approach to authorization? Do you think the state’s recreational market will be better for it in the long run? Let us know in the comments!