ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A lucrative scheme is infiltrating New Mexico. That’s what a four-month-long Larry Barker investigation uncovered after finding local retailers selling disguised bootleg marijuana in packaging labeled as “hemp.” A city councilor is now joining the fight.
While hemp and marijuana both come from the cannabis plant, they differ drastically in their chemical composition and legal status. So, when marijuana is slipped into hemp-labeled products, it’s not only illegal, it’s unsafe.
While legislators are pushing for reform at the state level, Councilor Dan Lewis is echoing the sentiment in Albuquerque. “We have retailers that are selling intoxicating hemp to, really, the children in the city of Albuquerque, and it should be banned,” said Dan Lewis, Albuquerque City Council.
The ordinance would also authorize the Albuquerque Police Department and Environmental Health Department to conduct immediate enforcement through penalties and petty misdemeanor charges, with the possibility of license revocation. Retailers would also need to put up mandatory signs clarifying that the sale of intoxicating hemp products is prohibited under Albuquerque law.
“It makes it illegal to sell in the city of Albuquerque. It gives our, you know, law enforcement the ability to be able to, you know, to be able to deal with it, to be able to enforce that law with any retailer, anybody that’s trying to sell that product within the city limits,” said Lewis.
During this legislative session, the house passed a bill that would give the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board the authority to establish safety rules, allowing the state’s environmental department to regulate hemp products.
H/T: www.yahoo.com
