New Mexico Dispensary Mistakes Cost Them $350K

A handful of violations at an Albuquerque, New Mexico dispensary grand opening celebration set them back about $350,000 dollars.

The dispensary, located at 1340 Broadway Blvd. NE, reached a deal with the states Cannabis Control Division over 5 (alleged), violations of the New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act.

They won't have to shut down completely but the cost of doing business for them just got pretty darn steep.

Cookie's held a grand opening celebration November 18th, 2023 during which, the CCD says, 5 rules were broken. Here's what they're accused of and what it means, in simple terms.

• Violation of protection of underage persons - Someone under the age of 21 attended and blazed onsite.
• Engaging in prohibited practices - The dispensary posted something online showing somebody blazing, (big time, apparently), on the dispensary’s property.
• Allowing for the unauthorized consumption of cannabis - The dispensary let peeps blaze onsite and encouraged it sans a "cannabis consumption license".
• Unlawful co-mingling of alcoholic beverages and cannabis - Blazers having dranks on the property.
• Violation of cannabis product display requirements - Setting up displays in the parking lot, outside their defined "retail area".

In my book, these are minor little "oopses". Carelessness really but rules are rules and, just like with the regs concerning alcohol, mistakes can be costly.

Cookie's coughed, (no pun intended), up $50K to cover the violations and $300K to avoid a 2 week shutdown.

If Blue Whale Enterprises Inc. has any more of the same violations in the next two years, it may have to temporarily suspend its commercial cannabis operations in New Mexico and could face more fines, according to the settlement. - krqe