Last verified: March 2026
The Cannabis Control Division (CCD)
Cannabis licensing in New Mexico is managed by the Cannabis Control Division (CCD), which operates under the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD). The CCD handles all commercial cannabis licensing, enforcement, and compliance. Applications are submitted through the CROP portal at crop.rld.nm.gov.
The CCD also works with the Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee (C-RAC), which provides industry and community input on regulatory decisions.
10 License Types and Fees
New Mexico's licensing framework is one of the most diverse in the country, with 10 distinct license categories:
| License Type | Annual Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Retailer | $2,500 | Storefront dispensary selling to consumers |
| Producer | $2,500 + per-plant fee | Cultivation facility; per-plant fee scales with canopy |
| Producer Micro | $500–$1,000 | Small-scale cultivation; 200-plant limit |
| Manufacturer | $2,500 | Processing into edibles, concentrates, topicals |
| Courier | $1,500 | Cannabis delivery service |
| Consumption Area | Up to $2,500 | Licensed on-site consumption lounge or venue |
| Vertically Integrated Cannabis Establishment (VICE) | $7,500 | Combined cultivation, manufacturing, and retail under one license |
| Integrated Cannabis Micro Business (ICMB) | $1,000 + $500/activity | Small-scale vertically integrated operation |
| Testing Laboratory | $2,500 | Independent testing for potency, contaminants, safety |
| Research Laboratory | $1,000–$2,500 | Cannabis research facility |
Medical licensees receive a 50% fee reduction across all categories, reflecting the state's commitment to preserving the medical market.
License Numbers: The Scale of NM's Market
By March 2024, the CCD had issued 2,873 total licenses across all categories:
| Category | Licenses Issued |
|---|---|
| Retailer | 1,050 |
| Manufacturer | 878 |
| Micro-Producer | 459 |
| Other categories | 486 |
| Total | 2,873 |
By mid-2025, retailer licenses exceeded 1,500, though only approximately 380 were actively reporting sales. This massive gap between licensed and operational businesses is a central issue in the market.
SB 27: The Moratorium
SB 27 (2025) imposes a moratorium on new retail location approvals, effective July 1, 2025. The moratorium does not revoke existing licenses but freezes the issuance of new retail locations. This was a direct response to oversaturation concerns — 1,500+ retailer licenses for a state of 2.1 million people had created unsustainable competition and price compression.
The moratorium signals a shift from New Mexico's originally open licensing philosophy toward managed market growth. Prospective applicants should monitor the CCD for updates on when new retail licensing may resume.
Application Process
- Create a CROP account at crop.rld.nm.gov
- Select your license type and complete the application
- Submit required documentation: business plan, operating plan, security plan, financial disclosures, and background checks for all owners
- Pay the application fee
- Pass CCD review including compliance inspection of your proposed location
- Receive conditional approval and complete any remaining requirements
Cannabis convictions do not automatically disqualify applicants in New Mexico, reflecting the state's social equity philosophy.
For in-depth cannabis education, dosing guides, safety information, and research summaries, visit our partner site TryCannabis.org
Related on this site: NM Cannabis Enforcement Bureau, New Mexico's Fastest Cannabis Launch, New Mexico Cannabis Industry Resources.