Gallup-McKinley officials warn board about THC products marketed to students; district outlines prevention and enforcement steps

At a Gallup-McKinley County Schools board meeting, district staff and McKinley County Sheriff James Mariano reported a rise of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products packaged to look like candy or everyday items and described steps the district and law enforcement are taking to stop distribution and protect students.

The presentation, led by Assistant Superintendent Cadon Montano and safety director Jake Stokes, outlined health risks for adolescents and showed photos of gummies, drink containers and vape devices that, presenters said, are designed to entice younger children. “This growing trend poses significant challenges for our school administrators and staff,” Montano told the board. She said weekly marijuana use among people under 18 “can be associated with an 8-point drop in intelligence.”

Montano and Stokes said incidents on Gallup-McKinley campuses have included colorful edible packaging and small, concealable vape cartridges. “We have found cookies, Doritos…THC vape pens,” Stokes said, warning that younger children may mistake edibles for candy. He said school staff are working to expand curriculum and student education, and the district is reinstating DARE in elementary schools, reviving red ribbon activities and launching a self-reporting program called Stop It.

Sheriff James Mariano described the legal framework and enforcement challenges. “It’s unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to possess any THC product,” Mariano said, and he told the board that a person 18 or older who gives cannabis to someone under 18 with a three‑year age gap can face a fourth‑degree felony punishable by up to $5,000 and three years in jail. He said distribution in a drug‑free school zone is a more serious felony, and cited penalties of as much as 18 years and a $20,000 fine for certain school‑zone distribution offenses. Mariano identified the 2019 state legalization law and specific New Mexico statutes regulating possession and distribution near schools; he referenced the code cited in his presentation as "26-2-29" related to possession or distribution near schools.

Mariano showed evidence items seized in the county and said some branded packages use company trademarks (Skittles, Nerds) without authorization; he said companies have filed lawsuits against some manufacturers for trademark misuse. He also said some legally produced packages carry state labeling in certain jurisdictions (for example, a California-style triangle marking), but that illegal or gray‑market products often lack required labels or carry misleading branding.

Law enforcement and district officials described several concrete responses already under way: a district VAPE task force, expanded student counseling and group supports, parent and community education campaigns (radio, print, social media), and assigning a drug‑detection canine named Zelle to work full time in Gallup‑area public and BIE schools this semester. Stokes said one student previously was found with roughly 84 THC vape pens; the example was presented to illustrate how concealed, high‑potency products can reach students.

Officials also urged stronger state and local enforcement and funding. Mariano asked the board to press legislators for enforcement resources and suggested that a portion of cannabis excise tax revenues be dedicated to local education and enforcement efforts, similar to liquor excise allocations. Superintendent Mike Hyatt said district staff plan to raise the issue during an upcoming roundtable with the governor and to pursue discussion with city and tribal leaders about local ordinances and outreach.

The board did not take action on new policy changes at the meeting; presenters asked members to support outreach, enforcement and funding efforts and to consider local measures to curb youth‑focused marketing.

District staff said they will: distribute reminders of the district’s FERPA and student‑protection protocols to principals, expand parent/community messaging (including in Native languages), launch the Stop It self‑reporting tool, reinstate DARE in elementary schools this semester and continue training for staff to recognize disguised products. Sheriff Mariano said residents may report suspected distribution to local law enforcement or the county task force for follow up.