Friday was a day a lot of New Mexicans have been waiting for: Legalization Day.
Recreational use of marijuana became legal on April 1 a little over year after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Cannabis Regulation Act into law. New Mexicans age 21 and over can officially and legally buy marijuana at any one of the 250 licensed locations in the state.
What your neighbors think
Jennifer, who didn’t want to reveal her last name, cleverly had a booth set up selling treats and goodies outside of Urban Wellness Cannabis Dispensary on Paradise Friday afternoon.
“It’s the best thing to happen in New Mexico, “Jennifer said. “It’s going to help a lot of people.”
Jennifer was selling Rice Krispies treats, cupcakes, brownies, cakes, caramel apples, cheesecake tacos and “Nug” berries, chocolate-covered strawberries dusted with crumb toppings that resemble large nuggets of marijuana.
Across the overflowing parking lot from Urban Wellness sits the West Park Apartment Homes. Resident Lenore Ingardi was looking out from her balcony at the lines in front of the dispensary and all the cars that were parked in the complex’s lot.
“I don’t care about them selling marijuana,” Ingardi said. “I just don’t like them parking in our spots. We all have tags so you can see who doesn’t live here. It could get scary; you never know who is in the complex.”
Christian Sanchez was waiting toward the back of the line when he summed up everyone’s thoughts perfectly.
“It’s a lot easier this way than it is to buy it illegally,” Sanchez said.
