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 regulating hemp extracts and finished products, including requirements for labeling, facility registration, and inspection protocols.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions related to hemp, including terms for "consumer," "hemp retailer," "semi-synthetic cannabinoid," and "synthetic cannabinoid." It outlines penalties for violations of the Hemp Manufacturing Act, classifying them as petty misdemeanors, 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 the federal limit, whichever is greater, and prohibits hemp retailers from dealing in products containing semi-synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids. An emergency clause is included to ensure the act takes 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