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Committee backs creating enforcement bureau inside Cannabis Control Division
Summary
Lawmakers voted to advance a committee substitute for House Bill 10 establishing a law-enforcement bureau in the Regulation and Licensing Department’s Cannabis Control Division to investigate illicit cannabis operations; supporters said it fills enforcement gaps, opponents raised concerns about policing and local capacity.
The House Judiciary Committee voted to advance a committee substitute of House Bill 10 that would create an enforcement bureau inside the Regulation and Licensing Department’s Cannabis Control Division (CCD) to investigate unlawful cannabis activity and aid seizure and embargo of illegal product.
Speaker Javier Martinez presented the committee substitute on behalf of Representative Gallegos, describing the measure as a response to a surge of illicit cannabis operations and local enforcement bandwidth limits. “One of the best in the state…we've seen illicit cannabis,” Martinez said, and presented the substitute as a tool to give the CCD more capacity to pursue criminal violations and protect licensed businesses.
The CCD superintendent testified the bureau would be staffed by certified peace officers who must meet state law‑enforcement training and certification standards. Kevin Graham, general counsel for the Regulation and Licensing Department, told the committee the division already uses sworn investigators in other program areas and that the proposed bureau would be limited to cannabis-related criminal activity. The substitute also includes administrative tools such as embargo authority, sample testing, and a 10-day administrative hearing process for seized product.
Supporters included owners of licensed cannabis businesses, the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, the New Mexico State Police, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Andrew Ramirez, a small vertically integrated cannabis owner, said enforcement resources would help target illegal sellers. Deputy Chief Dale Wagner of the New Mexico State Police testified the bureau would improve coordination and reduce the burden on general law enforcement.
Opponents raised concerns about expansion of policing powers into a regulatory agency and potential impacts on legitimate licensees; speakers asked how due process, complaint handling, and coordination with district attorneys would be managed. General counsel Kevin Graham said bureau officers would be certified peace officers and subject to standard employment and certification discipline processes; criminal prosecutions would remain with district attorneys, with the attorney general able to participate in some cases.
The committee voted the substitute out of committee. The roll call recorded 11 yes votes for the committee substitute and it was given a “do pass” recommendation from committee.
