This bill amends the Hemp Manufacturing Act in New Mexico by transferring rulemaking authority from the Department of Environment to the Environmental Improvement Board, effective July 1, 2025. It establishes regulatory oversight for hemp finished products at retail and specifically bans the receipt, possession, advertising, marketing, or sale of semi-synthetic and synthetic cannabinoids within the state. The Environmental Improvement Board is tasked with adopting rules for the regulation of hemp extracts and finished products, including labeling, facility registration, and inspection requirements.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions, such as "consumer," "hemp retailer," "semi-synthetic cannabinoid," and "synthetic cannabinoid," while also clarifying the definitions of hemp and hemp finished products. It imposes penalties for violations of the Hemp Manufacturing Act and allows the Department of Environment to issue compliance orders for violations. The bill emphasizes that hemp finished products must not exceed a THC concentration of three-tenths percent or a concentration allowed by federal law. An emergency clause is included, indicating the need for the act to take effect immediately for public safety.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 76-24-4, 76-24-8, 76-24-9, 76-24-10
CE substitute: 76-24-4, 76-24-8, 76-24-9, 76-24-10