State revokes two licenses of cannabis farms in Torrance County

New year, no license.

Two cannabis cultivators had their licenses revoked by the state’s Cannabis Control Division for exceeding the state’s plant count limits, not effectively using the track-and-trace system and having unsafe conditions.

The revocation of the licenses of Bliss Farm and Native American Agricultural Development Co., which the state says are just miles from each other in Torrance County near Estancia, mark the fifth and six license revocations by the state. Both companies are also on the hook for $1 million each for the violations. Efforts Tuesday to reach representatives of the companies for comment were unsuccessful.

“The team worked diligently on both of these cases to determine the appropriate action for violations at a scale we hadn’t seen before,” CCD Director Todd Stevens said in a statement. “The outcomes were justified under the law based on the egregious conduct of these individuals and I hope this serves as a reminder to those who might be violating the laws and rules the state has put forth.”

In July, Paradise Exotics Distro was the first to have its license revoked by the state for possessing and selling cannabis with California stampings, as well as discrepancies in its reported sales. C.M.F. Productions had its license revoked in August for sourcing cannabis from outside of the state.

Golden Roots, which did business as the Cannabis Revolution Dispensary, in October had its license revoked for moving illegal cannabis through BioTrack. And in November, Sawmill Sweetleaf LLC officially had its license revoked following a first-of-its-kind preliminary injunction filed against it by state regulators in August that temporarily paused operations.

Native American Agricultural Development Co., or NAADC, was cited for eight violations, including improper security measures, no chain of custody procedures and “ill-maintained grounds with trash and pests throughout,” according to the state. The company, according to state documents, had exceeded its plant count limit — growing 20,000 mature plants and 20,000 immature plants when it was licensed to grow 5,000 mature plants.

Bliss Farm, on the other hand, was cited for 17 violations similar to that of NAADC. According to state documents, the business was growing 10,000 more plants than it was permitted to grow.

Both license revocations come as the state has increased enforcement on the cannabis industry in recent months. It also comes as leaders in the industry have sought help from the state in weeding out businesses participating in illegal activities. To date, the state has approved more than 2,800 licenses.

“The illicit activity conducted at both of these farms undermines the good work that many cannabis businesses are doing across the state,” said Clay Bailey, acting superintendent for the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. “The excessive amount of illegal cannabis plants and other serious violations demonstrates a blatant disregard for public health and safety, and for the law.”