New Mexico

New Mexico cannabis industry braces for federal rescheduling

Published

2 years ago

May 20, 2024

New Mexico cannabis industry braces for federal rescheduling

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – In a historic announcement, President Joe Biden says it is time for the feds to rethink how dangerous marijuana really is. His administration is downgrading cannabis in its drug classification.

It’s a monumental decision that will impact many areas of the legal marijuana industry, including in New Mexico.

“It’s a historic, monumental policy shift and how the federal government treats cannabis. But it’s kind of bittersweet, too, it doesn’t go far enough,” said Ben Lewinger, executive director of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.

Lewinger says it’s about time the feds catch up with the American people.

“We know that most Americans today want cannabis to be legal, to be regulated, similar to alcohol or tobacco,” said Lewinger.

He says Biden’s plan to reschedule marijuana isn’t doing that.

“It’s kind of a giveaway to the Big Pharma,” Lewinger said.

Marijuana, or cannabis, is currently a Schedule 1 drug. It’s considered the worst of the worst, alongside other drugs like heroin.

The Biden administration wants to reclassify it as a Schedule 3 drug, meaning it’s still concerning, but there are some recognizable medical benefits.

“Schedule 3 includes pharmaceuticals, like Klonopin, like Tylenol with codeine, so still highly regulated pharmaceutical products. We do know that there will be immediate relief in the form of cannabis businesses not having to deal with 280E, which is an IRS tax code that applies only to Schedule 1 substances. What we don’t know is whether or not being regulated by the FDA and the DEA would incur additional costs,” said Lewinger.

Lewinger admits this is uncharted territory for the cannabis industry. A spokesperson with the Cannabis Control Division says they are just beginning to digest the draft rule, and figuring out how this will impact New Mexico’s cannabis industry.

But Lewinger says there are clues about what happens to Schedule 3 drugs.

“It presents a pharmaceutical model for states that have legalized cannabis,” Lewinger said. “I think that having to have a prescription for cannabis may not be off the table. I think that there’s going to be lots of companies rushing to develop IP to get trademarks on different cannabinoids.”

He predicts the change could also allow New Mexico to export cannabis products, potentially providing another boost to the booming industry.

“It’s a really exciting time for our industry in New Mexico right now,” said Lewinger.

Recreational sales topped $38 million last month, just shy of a record $39 million the month before.

Lewinger says the rescheduling process could take years to complete, so don’t expect any noticeable industry changes anytime soon. He says don’t expect any more major shifts for a while.

“My feeling is that shifting from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 is actually going to put off real descheduling for another decade or even longer,” said Lewinger.

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New Mexico

Debate rages on oilfield wastewater in New Mexico – Carlsbad Current-Argus

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Debate rages on oilfield wastewater in New Mexico – Carlsbad Current-Argus

A pump jack operates in Carlsbad. File photo

Adrian HeddenCarlsbad Current-Argusachedden@currentargus.com Wastewater from oil and gas drilling could be reused by other industries next year, if a state body acts despite criticism from…

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New Mexico

Family clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead

Published

14 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Family clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – KRQE News 13 has learned more about the disappearance of 36-year-old Joel “Deano” Valdez, and why, nearly three months after he went missing, his family believes he is dead. Valdez went missing on September 18, on his way home after a job on the other end of the state. After weeks of searching, on Monday night, Valdez’s family announced their loved one was dead, but did not provide information to support their claim.

On Tuesday, the family issued a follow-up statement saying they hired a private investigator who obtained interviews from several people who confirmed Valdez’s death. They said that Valdez, a Marine vet and father of three, was headed from Silver City to Coyote back in September but had stopped at a Santa Fe gas station before he vanished.

Media reports described an incident where Valdez may have been preyed upon in his white Chevy Silverado pickup truck. Valdez’s family believes that “something nefarious happened” to him, leading to his demise. Bank statements show Valdez stopped at a gas station and an ATM in Santa Fe before he vanished. His family also said that his credit cards were used by someone else after he went missing.

In the statement released Tuesday, the family said in part, “Waiting for his remains to be found makes it difficult to start the grieving process.

Monday night, a family member said, “To go so long without answers has been heart-wrenching and heartbreaking for all of us. We still don’t have all the answers and hope to one day have some clarity and peace.”

KRQE News 13 asked the Santa Fe Police Department about the incident. They said on the day that Valdez went missing, they received a 911 call about three people breaking into a white pickup truck. The caller said they heard someone inside the truck yelling for help. Before they arrived, Santa Fe police officers were diverted to a higher-priority call.

According to police records, when an officer finally arrived at the scene 45 minutes later, there was nothing to report. KRQE News 13 is cautioning viewers that it is not clear if the 911 incident had anything to do with Valdez or his pickup truck.

New Mexico State Police are in charge of the investigation, and they told KRQE News 13 they are still treating Valdez as a missing persons case.

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New Mexico

New Mexico Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Day results for Dec. 15, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 15, 2025, results for each game:

Powerball

23-35-59-63-68, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Day: 2-3-6

Evening: 4-5-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Lotto America

08-11-29-36-50, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Evening: 2-5-0-2

Day: 7-2-1-6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Roadrunner Cash

01-12-17-26-29

Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Powerball Double Play

20-23-38-42-65, Powerball: 19

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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