The 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, while the Department of Environment will continue to issue permits for manufacturing activities until the transition occurs.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions, including "consumer," "hemp retailer," "semi-synthetic cannabinoid," and "synthetic cannabinoid," and outlines the responsibilities and requirements for hemp retailers, including labeling and inspection protocols. It also prescribes penalties for violations of the act, classifying them as petty misdemeanors, and allows the Department of Environment to issue compliance orders for violations. The bill declares an emergency, necessitating immediate enactment for public health and 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