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Torrance County officials press state agency for more power, resources to curb illicit cannabis grows
Summary
After extensive public comment on water, safety and labor concerns, the County hosted Eden Sayers of the Cannabis Control Division, who said CCD is using existing tools but lacks statutory authority and resources to immediately shut illicit grows; Commissioners and residents urged moratoria and legislative fixes.
The Torrance County Board of Commissioners heard hours of public comment on Aug. 14 from residents, school leaders and state lawmakers who said cannabis grow operations are straining local water supplies, creating safety and labor problems, and eluding enforcement.
"The CCD does not currently have the legal authority to walk into a cannabis grow and shut it down," said Eden Sayers, attorney for the Cannabis Control Division. She told the board the division is pursuing additional statutory authority and federal background-check access and is using renewal and denial powers added July 1 under recent legislation, but that the CCD currently relies heavily on coordination with other state agencies and local law enforcement.
Commissioner Samuel Schropp said he convened the meeting after constituents raised concerns about unlicensed and possibly criminal operators. "We are not going to stop intensive agriculture operations like marijuana growth from operating in Torrance County under present law," Schropp said, "but we can work to ensure all applicable statutes, ordinances, and regulations are strictly enforced." He urged residents to file verified complaints through the CCD complaint portal to trigger inspections and enforcement steps.
Residents described fast-growing operations they said were run by out-of-state interests, taking significant groundwater and creating light, noise and public-safety worries. Estancia Schools Superintendent Cindy Sims told the commissioners the district has seen an increase in THC vaping and child- welfare referrals since legalization, calling the trend "detrimental" to students and families.
Sayers said the CCD has filed court cases and sought temporary restraining orders in some cases, and that new powers in Senate Bill 6 allow the CCD to refuse or not renew licenses when documentation is incomplete or when there is a pending investigation. She also said the CCD is pursuing an FBI ORI number to allow federal fingerprint checks.
The Commission and several state lawmakers present — including Senator Liz Stefanics and Representative D. Lord — encouraged coordinated legislative fixes, temporary moratoria and additional state resources. "If and when you are ready, forward recommendations to me," Senator Stefanics said, inviting the county to propose changes that could be addressed by the Legislature.
The CCD urged residents to submit verified complaints on its website, noting that verified complaints allow them to open inspections and administrative proceedings. The board did not enact a local moratorium at the meeting but asked staff and the county attorney to continue coordinating with state agencies and the Attorney General’s Office.
