Time Crunch Looms, Carbon Footprint and Mysterious Medical License Drama | 11.9.21

Growing Forward: Cannabis and New Mexico

The clock is ticking down for people hoping to break into the state's forthcoming recreational cannabis market. Would-be producers are still weaving their way through the licensing process, and that path has been anything but smooth so far. This week, we talk to three different business owners, who all share similar frustrations about navigating the licensing process with the Regulation and Licensing Department and various municipal governments. Once those businesses have their licenses, those business owners can begin the process of growing and cultivating. But, unless those pieces are all in place soon, the chances they can have product ready for the market by next April 1st, when the recreational market kicks off, is very much in doubt. Read more about their concerns about the state's aggressive timeline, in a recent report from co-host Andy Lyman at NM Political Report.

Water has been another constant concern and theme of this new industry, as it is with all agricultural businesses in New Mexico. But, what about the other environmental impacts of growing cannabis? Researchers at Colorado State University join Andy and Megan to discuss their research about the carbon footprint of this new crop, especially in terms of indoor grows.

Lastly, Megan talks with Andy about his latest report for NM Political Report, just published this morning. It examines the strange case of a solitary medical cannabis license which was granted just a day before the cannabis program shifted from the New Mexico Department of Health to the Regulation and Licensing Department. There are plenty of questions about the process used, and the business owner who got that single license, but there is no doubt, given the backlog in processing new licenses for the recreational market, that this gives Vance Dugger a clear advantage headed into 2022.

Guests:

Matt Munoz, Carver Family Farms

Erica Rowland, Farm Flourish

Alyssa Pearson, Dr. Green Organics

Hailey Summers, Ph.D. Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Jason Quinn, Director, Sustainability Research Laboratory

Episode Music:

Christian Bjoerklund - "Hallon"

Poddington Bear - "Good Times"

Blue Dot Sessions - "Two Dollar Token"

Blue Dot Sessions - "Low Light Switch"

Growing Forward Logo Created By:

Katherine Conley

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"Growing Forward" is a collaboration between New Mexico Political Report and New Mexico PBS.

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